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THE LIFE 



OF 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 



Hi9 daily life, far better understood 
In deeds than words, was simply doing good; 

So calm, so constant was his rectitude 
That by his loss alone we know his worth, 

And feel how true a man has walked with us on earth. 

WHITTIER. 

He being dead yet speaketh. Hebrews xi. 4. 

L e_w IS I ap p a V) 

-- I 



NEW YORK: 

PUBLISHED BY HUKD AND HOUGHTON. 

CAMBRIDGE: RIVERSIDE PRESS. 

1870. 


.T76 


Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1870, b 
Lewis Tappan, 

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



PRINTED BY H. 0. HOUGHTON AND CO. 








Ct/lT' 








CONTENTS 


I. 

Bu th and Parentage — His Father’s Temperance Principles—His 
Mother’s Courage and Patriotism—Schoolmasters—Studies— 
Pastimes—Escapes from Death—How the Sabbath was kept— 
The Courts—Sanguinary Punishments—Effects on School¬ 
boys—Freshets—Brother’s Death—Sister’s Marriage—His 
Mother’s Medical Treatment. page 13 


II. 

Clerkship in a Hardware and Drygoods Store—B oarding Place 
—Brother John’s Kindness—Bookkeeping—Attends Public 
Worship at Old South and Dr. Channing’s—Visits in Brook¬ 
lyn and Cambridge—Visits to Parents—Mother’s Letter— 
Funeral Customs—Aunt Waters—His Strict Morality. 33 

III. 

Dai ?ted as a Soldier —Visits Montreal—Letters to Sister—In 
Business at Portland, Me.—His Mother’s Letter—Visits White 
Mountains—Moves to Montreal—Builds Store—Courtship and 
Marriage—Voyage to England—Letters to Sister—War—Re¬ 
fuses to take Oath of Allegiance—Leaves Canada—Taken as a 
Spy—Lives at Albany....44 


IV. 

Is Business in New York —Successful at First—Then Unsuccess¬ 
ful—Gives up the Importing Business—Engages in the Silk 
Jobbing Trade—Cash Sales chiefly—Is Prosperous—Unites 
\ ith Dr. Mason’s Church—Subscriptions to Benevolent Ob¬ 
jects—Moves to St. John’s Park—Joins Dr. Cox’s Church— 
8 iimmer Residence—Letter to Daughter—Buys House in Ne w 
u&aven..-.-. i 







CONTENTS. 


[ 


V. 

Ieceet of Success— The One-Price Rule—The Cash System— 
Member of Different Societies—American Tract Society—Bi¬ 
ble Society—The Lawyer’s Proposition—His Benefactions to 
the Auburn Theological Seminary; Kenyon College ; The 
Yale College Fund; American Education Society—Letters to 
Rev. Dr. Elias Cornelius—Dr. Cornelius’ Wit—Mr. Tappan’s 
Habits at the Store—Rev. Joseph S. Christmas—Rev. Dr. 
Woodbridge—The Free Church Plan---.70 


VI. 

’artnership with his Brother —Establishes Journal of Commerce 
—-Relinquishes It—Association formed to continue the Paper 
—The Lord’s Day strictly observed at the Office—Sale of Paper 
to Hale and Hallock—His Letter Thirty Years afterwards— 
The Sabbath Question —General Union for its Observance 
formed—Is Treasurer—Good Effects—Obstacles—His Tem¬ 
perance Efforts —“Pure Wines” for Lord’s Supper—Mr. 
Delavan’s Opinion—Major Noah’s Testimony—Dr. Edwards’ 
Letter—Why Mr. Tappan was a Prohibitionist—He had no 
Confidence in the License System—Did not neglect Moral 
Suasion—Dr. Hosack on the Use of Tobacco—Rev. Dr. Pat¬ 
ton’s Experience.-.91 


VII. 

iis Labors to Prevent Licentiousness— President of Magdalen 
Society—Friendly to Mr. McDowall—The Magdalen Report— 
Uproar in the City—Presentment of the Grand Jury—Thinks 
Prevention the Great Object to be aimed at—Dr. Brown’s 
Testimony in Favor of McDowall—The Death of this Philan¬ 
thropist—Why Mr. Tappan interested Himself so much in 
this Matter.-.-.-.110 

VIII. 

is Opposition to the Colonization Society— The Result of his 
Temperance and Peace Principles—Intelligent People of 
Color Opposed to It from the Start—Daniel Webster’s Opin¬ 
ion—William Jay’s also—The Caste Feeling its Main Sup¬ 
port—Atrocious Sentiments at a late Colonization Meeting— 
Peter Williams'' Appeal—Abdual Rahaman.126 









CONTENTS. 


0 


IX. 


His Exertions for the Education and Elevation of Free Peo¬ 
ple of Color— Excitement at New Haven in Opposition to a 
Plan for a High School—Project abandoned—Aids Miss 
Crandall’s School—Her Triumph—Mr. May’s Statement— 
Treasurer of the Phoenix Society in New York—Efforts on 
Behalf of Colored People.143 


X. 

Enlists in the Anti-Slavery Cause —Liberates Mr. Garrison— 
Aids the Liberator and Emancipator and Colored American— 
Formation of the New York City Anti-Slavery Society—Oppo¬ 
sition Meeting, at Tammany Hall and throughout the Country 
—President of the American Anti-Slavery Society—Its His¬ 
tory—Mo^s and Triumphs—.-.13 


XL 

Amalgamation Stories— Many of Them were Amusing, and Son. 
Malicious—The Prejudice against People of Color Bampan* 
throughout the Country—The Public Press aided It—Hio 
Course was Prudent—His Letter in Explanation.189 

XII. 

Mob Violence in New York —Chatham-street Chapel assailed— 
His Store threatened—Defended with Deadly Weapons— 
Churches, Dwelling-houses, and Individuals Attacked—Proc¬ 
lamation of the Mayor—Troops under Arms—The Press 
Hostile, with One or Two Noble Exceptions—Mr. Jocelyn’s 
History of Events.203 


XIII. 

Lane Seminary— He induces Dr. Beecher to leave Boston for 
Cincinnati—Noble Band of Young Men preparing for the 
Ministry—The Trustees forbid their discussing the Anti- 
Slavery Question— Students quit the Seminary and go to 
Oberlin—He sustains Them—Mi. Finney's Narrative-225 

XIV. 

Increased Mob Violence throughout the Country— Eewards 
offered for his Head— Threats of Abduction—Burning of Mails 
—Abolitionists defended by William Leggett—He signs an Ad¬ 
dress to the Public— His Eesoluteness.243 







6 


CONTENTS. 


XV. 

His Eldest Daughter’s Recollections of his Early and Subse¬ 
quent Life.-..--253 


XYI. 

His Grief at the Course taken by the Benevolent Societies— 
He Attends the Usual Religious Meetings—Scene in Lecture 
Room—Efforts of Prominent Men to Stop his Proceedings— 
His Reply: “I’ll be Hung First!”—He signs a Solemn 
Protest with Reference to the Accusations of Governors of 
States, and of President Jackson.-.-.264 

XVII. 

tie Great Fire in 1885—His Store burnt—His Losses—His 
i romptitude in Rebuilding—How He met the Financial Crisis 
He felt the Evils of the Credit System—His Suspension— 
? Calmness in Adverse Circumstances—Paid All in Eigh- 
^cii Months with Interest, besides paying a Million and a 


Half Dollars for New Goods in the Interim.272 

XVIII. 

Mr. Seth B. Hunt’s Narrative— Respecting the Mobs—The Fire 
—The Energy evinced by Mr. Tappan.283 


XIX. 

Advance of the Anti-Slavery Cause— His Enemies exult in 
Vain—His Deep Interest in the West India Emancipation— 
He rejoices also in the Prevalence of Anti-Slavery Sentiment 
—Letter from John Quincy Adams— His Error in selling so 
largely on Credit—His Failure in Business, owing to Real 
Estate Engagements with a Friend—What Joseph Sturge said 
of Him.288 


XX. 

Division in the Anti-Slavery Body —Its Cause—New Society 
formed called the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery —He is 
elected the President—Judge Jay’s Letter—John G. Whittier’s 
also—He befriends the Liberty Party, the National Era, 
and the Anti-Slavery Reporter established by the new Society— 
He refuses to obey the Fugitive Slave Bill—He felt as Pres¬ 
ident Lincoln afterwards did, on the Support given Slavery 
by a Large Number of Ministers of the Gospel.301 








CONTENTS. 


7 


XXI. 

American Missionary Association —He unites with It—Contri¬ 
buted to its Funds—Is One of the Vice-Presidents—Why 
He withdrew his Confidence from the Old Benevolent Socie¬ 
ties—His Views of the Course they ought to have pursued— 
His Constant Grief at the Course they took on the Slavery 
Question.-.317 

XXII. 

Meeting of Brothers and Sisters —He met them at Northamp¬ 
ton, Mass., June 1, 1848, and visited the Graves of their 
Parents and Sister—There were Nine, from the Age of Sixty 
to Seventy-seven—How they enjoyed the Interview.338 

XXIII. 

Mercantile Agency —He likes its Principles and buys an Interest 
in It—Purchases an Estate in New Jersey—Dissolves, and 
purchases a House in New Haven—Called to mourn the 
Death of his Daughter, Mrs. Seymour, and afterwards the 
Death of his Wife and Son—An Obituary Notice of Her—His 
Correspondence.-.-.345 


XXIV. 

His Life at New Haven —Unites with Dr. Bacon’s Church—His 
Religious Reflections—The Humble Views He cherished— 
Letters to his Brother and Daughter—Reference to Rev. Dr. 
Emmons.-...355 


XXV. 

His Meditations —Believed in the Triumph of the Government— 
Letters to his Eldest Daughter—Letters to his Brother— 
Feeling for the Wronged—Letter from his Old Clerks—His 
Reply—Letter from Theodore D. Weld---.362 

XXVI. 

The War, its Causes, and Probable Results —The Retributive 
Justice of God—Dr. Black’s Opinion—The Early Abolitionists 
relied on Moral Suasion—Interposition of the Almighty—The 
Proclamation of President Lincoln—Eldest Daughter’s Jour¬ 
nal—Will and Testament—Debt of Gratitude to his Brother 
John—His Last Letters—Last Sickness—Death—Funeral— 
Sermon by Dr. Bacon..371 








8 


CONTENTS. 


XXVII. 

Summing Up—H is Truthfulness—His Integrity—His Industry— 
His Perseverance—His Views of Stewardship—His Religion— 
His Unselfishness—No Fear of Death—Firmness and Tender¬ 
ness united—Neat and Simple in Everything—His Punctuali¬ 
ty—His Moral Courage—More Severe toward himself than to 
Others—Lenient and Forbearing. 384 

ADDENDA. 

W. L. Garrison’s Letter to Miss Tappan.399 

Gerrit Smith’s Letter---.400 

Amos Townsend’s Letter-.-.401 

Letter of a Niece of Mr. Tappan’s.401 

Obituary Notice by Rev. Dr. Hallock.-.403 

Professor Hopkins’ Address.407 

APPENDIX. 

1. Genealogical Notice.411 

2. The Credit System.-.413 

3. Journal of Commerce...-.415 

4. Colonization Society. 419 

5. Joseph Sturge’s Statement.419 

6. Letter from Vice-President Colfax..420 

7. Oberlin College.-.420 

8. Letter from Rev. C. G. Finney.-.-421 

9. American Missionary Association.422 

10. Auburn Theological Seminary. 422 

11. British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society.--423 

12. Letter from Wm. Lloyd Garrison.--424 

13. Tribute by Rev. Dr. Leavitt.424 

14. Extracts from Dr. Bacon’s Sermon.-.427 























INTRODUCTION. 


The inquiry has often been made, since the death of 
Mr. Arthur Tappan, When will a suitable memorial of 
one so widely known and so highly esteemed, be pub¬ 
lished ? The answer has been: A man's good name is 
his best monument. Still the inquiry is reiterated, and 
an earnest desire expressed, from various sources, that 
at least some sketch of the life of a man so eminently 
useful, should be prepared, not only for surviving rela¬ 
tives, and near friends, but for many who knew him 
only by reputation. We want, say they, to know some¬ 
thing of his parentage, his early life, his habits of busi¬ 
ness, the secret of his success, and the reasons of his 
reverses as a merchant, his experience as a philanthro¬ 
pist and a Christian. We desire to know something of 
the inner man, how he appeared in his family, in his 
place of business, in the walks and conflicts of life. 

It is natural that such requests should be made, and 
it is reasonable that those who make them should be 
gratified. But it is necessary to bear in mind that he 
was a man of a remarkably quiet spirit, unostentatious, 
averse to publicity, and desirous of being felt rather 
than seen. He had but a common school education, 
was not a writer, or speaker, and kept no journal of his 
feelings, or actions. He was seldom seen except at his 
place of business, in his family, in his garden, in the 
church, or lecture-room, at committee meetings, and as 



10 


INTBODUCTION. 


presiding officer of public meetings. In all these rela¬ 
tions he gave himself to the work in hand. He was 
remarkable for seriousness, despatch, impatience at non- 
observance of rules, at prolixity, waste of time, or oppor¬ 
tunity. He consulted the rights and convenience of 
others as well as his own, and reflected that the Mas¬ 
ter whom he served, required fidelity, diligence, faith¬ 
fulness, accomplishment—few words and abundant 
deeds. 

It is proposed, with the materials at hand, to give 
a narration of the principal incidents in the life of Mr. 
Tappan, for his children and grandchildren, primarily, 
and with such minuteness as may be of special interest 
to them. And also to give a statement of his connec¬ 
tion with the benevolent institutions of the times in 
which he lived, and in whose doings he participated; 
together with the views he cherished on the subject of 
moral reform in its various departments. 

In doing this, it will be necessary to speak with 
plainness of men and measures, defending the right 
and condemning the wrong. The truth of history 
requires that this should be done, although it is obliga¬ 
tory to “ speak the truth in love.” That good men, as 
individuals and members of benevolent societies, some¬ 
times manifested opposition to the course he pursued, he 
did not deny. He lamented the inconsistency of such 
persons, but justly considered that it afforded no sanc¬ 
tion to what was wrong, either in principle or conduct. 
“ To err is human.” While he made all due allowances 
for the frailties of others, he never forgot the duty he 
owed to his Maker and his fellow-men, in opposing as¬ 
sociations when they acted as if they overlooked sound 
principles, and in laboring with men of any class who 
appeared to keep them in view. The cause of good 


INTRODUCTION. 


11 


morals and uncorrupted Christianity, requires that in 
delineating the character of an eminent and successful 
moral reformer, it should be made to appear that his 
zeal was accompanied with knowledge, that he had good 
ground for his opposition to prevailing delinquencies, 
that he did not spend his strength or his property for 
naught. 

It was not however wholly as an opposer of wrong 
that Mr. Tappan devoted his energies and money. He 
also advocated the eight. He aimed to build up good 
institutions, while he strove against those that conduct¬ 
ed their affairs, as he believed, to the injury of his fel¬ 
low-men, and the dishonor of Christ. 

Had the narrative been prepared solely for the rela¬ 
tives and near friends, a considerable portion of what is 
said might with propriety have been omitted, but in a 
portraiture of the man for other persons, his views of 
reform constitute an important part of the delineation. 
It has not been the object of the compiler to prepare a 
popular, so much as a faithful narrative. His desire 
has been to do good rather than to please fastidious 
readers. Some of them will peruse a portion, while 
others, it may be, will read the whole. 

An old friend of my brother, an officer of one of the 
societies, whose conservative policy he felt bound to cen¬ 
sure, after a general examination of the narrative says: 
“ I took up the memoir of Arthur Tappan, (name ever 
dear to me,) and .... I am very glad you have prepared 
it. It seems to me a truthful, bona fide record; and 
though perhaps in some parts it is too long and minute, 
I cannot doubt that it will circulate widely and be highly 

valued, and do great good. I suspect that, just as 

the manuscript now stands, most of the readers will fail 
to see the kindness and true loveliness of his character 



12 


INTRODUCTION 


as you and I know it to have been; but while I hint 
this, I would leave all to your own judgment and dis¬ 
cretion. 

“ You certainly wish to say many things of Mr. 
Arthur Tappan (as you have said in the memoir) for 
which our Society would not be the appropriate, pub¬ 
lisher. Many such things it would be appropriate and 
doubtless desirable that you should say. Person¬ 

ally I am not displeased with any thing I saw in the 
manuscript, and I thought from your standpoint, you 
treated the subject certainly without intending to dis¬ 
please those called more conservative.” 

In copying for the press, the suggestion contained in 
the above has been borne in mind. Without any pre¬ 
tension to literary excellence, the compiler has aimed to 
make a truthful sketch, with such inferences as natu¬ 
rally flowed from the subject, in honor of a beloved 
brother with whom he was intimate from childhood; in 
honor of the cause of philanthropy and religion so dear 
to his heart; and in honor of Him who raised up, sus¬ 
tained, and blessed him. 

I commend the work to the considerate judgment of 
all parties interested in the subject of it; and especially 
do I implore upon it the Divine benediction. 

LEWIS TAPPAN. 

No. 218 Degraw-stkeet, 

Brooklyn, N. Y., May 22, 1870. 




SKETCH 


OF THE 

LIFE OF ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


I. 

Arthur Tappan was born at Northampton, Mas¬ 
sachusetts, May 22,1786. His father was Benjamin 
Tappan, and his mother’s maiden name was Sarah 
Homes.* 

Benjamin Tappan carried on the business of a 
gold and silversmith, in Northampton, for twenty 
years, when he relinquished it to engage in the dry- 
goods business, first under the firm of Tappan 
Fowle, and afterwards as Tappan & Whitney. It 
was honorable to him, as it is a matter of just pride 
to his children, that while all the country merchants 
in the place, at that period, sold spirituous liquors, 
he always refrained from selling such articles. 

The seventh child, who was also the fifth son, of 
Mr. and Mrs. Tappan, was Arthur, the subject of 
this memoir. His childhood and early boyhood 
* For genealogical notices see Appendix 1. 



14 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


were passed in a village distinguished for its many 
privileges and also for its beautiful scenery. 

His father was a man of medium size, of uncom¬ 
monly fair skin; his head was early gray, somewhat 
bald, with a long queue and powdered hair. He 
was a man of sound evangelical principles, attentive 
to religious duties, holding the clergy in much re¬ 
spect, never forgetting that he was the son of a 
minister. He loved good men, good preaching, and 
good books; and was a constant attendant upon 
public worship. An amusing anecdote respecting 
this trait was told. One of his townsmen, on coming 
from the morning service, Sabbath noon, told his 
wife that neighbor Tappan was dead! The good 
woman expressed great surprise and concern, as she 
was an intimate friend of Mrs. Tappan. Seeing her 
distress her husband said, “ I suppose he is dead, 
for he was not at church.” The fact was, Mr. Tap- 
pan had returned from a journey on Saturday night, 
much fatigued, and remained at home the next fore¬ 
noon. 

He was also scrupulous about attending the 
week-day sacramental lecture, and would lock the 
door of his store, if no member of his family was 
present to “’tend shop” in his absence. He enjoy¬ 
ed social intercourse with neighbors and friends, 
knew all the ministers and good people in the neigh¬ 
boring towns, and met them with cordiality. He 
was also fond of telling and hearing good stories, 
but never used profane or indelicate language; and 
his hearty laugh evinced the pleasure he took in the 


THE YOUNG PEEACHEE. 


15 


wit of others, as well as liis own. He was not severe 
with his children, but required strict obedience, and 
did not spare the rod when he deemed it necessary, 
and especially when complaints were made of their 
ill-conduct by their mother. He had great respect 
for her judgment, and sometimes reminded his chil¬ 
dren of the gratitude they ought to feel for having 
so good a mother. 

He was very fond of visiting, in a social way, in 
which respect he was different from his wife, who 
loved home, and the society of her husband and 
children. Still, she would put aside her knitting 
whenever there was an urgent request: “ Come, 
come, wife, let us step over to neighbor so-and-so, 
and see how they are.” 

It was the custom, in those days, more than it is 
now, among refined and cultivated men, to indulge 
in smoking and in the use of spirituous liquors. He 
never fell into these useless and pernicious habits, 
and neither brandy nor kindred drinks were ever 
seen on his table. At one time he had for a guest 
a young minister from a neighboring town, who, in 
the morning, took a flask of bitters from his pocket, 
saying, “ Friend Tappan, if you will furnish me with 
some water I will prepare a drink for us before 
breakfast.” The surprise and grief that he express¬ 
ed at this request produced such an impression upon 
the young preacher, that, in after-life, he reminded 
the faithful reprover of the incident, and said: “ I 
gave up that bad practice, immediately on hearing 
your kind and Christian expostulation.” That cler- 


16 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


gyman, during his life, had the training of more 
than fifty young ministers, including seven or 
eight foreign missionaries, on whom he faithfully 
inculcated strict temperance principles. “A word 
fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of 
silver.” 

A granddaughter, who lived many years in the 
family, and contributed greatly to their comfort, 
says: “The time I spent with my beloved grand¬ 
parents was to me a rich privilege. I was with them 
when they died. They were both dead on the Sab¬ 
bath, and both were left in the house, with no guard 
but the blessed angels, while the family attended 
public worship. I should not have thought of leav¬ 
ing grandfather in that way if he had not chosen to 
do the same when grandmother died. He remark¬ 
ed that if we ever needed the consolations of the 
sanctuary it was in the time of affliction. Grand¬ 
father loved the Bible, and I think it was his practice 
to read in it about two hours each day. After he 
was eighty years of age he was requested to teach 
a Bible-class in the Sunday-school, and declined on 
account of deafness.” 

While Arthur reverenced his father, he had the 
most affectionate regard for his mother, as did all 
her children. In person she was small, with a fine 
head of dark-brown hair, which in her youth nearly 
reached to the ground, and which even in old age 
was unmixed with any gray locks. Her eyes were 
hazel, her complexion fair, her skin soft and un¬ 
wrinkled to the end of her days. The preaching of 


HIS MOTHER. 


17 


Whitefield in Boston, during lier early years, was 
often the subject of conversation with her children. 
The discourses of that eminent man, together with 
some remarkable providences of God in sparing her 
life on several occasions when in imminent danger, 
made a strong impression on her feelings, and re¬ 
sulted in her conversion. Led by the Holy Spirit, 
as she often said, she united with the Old South 
church in Boston, when she was about twenty-one 
years of age. She maintained a consistent walk and 
conversation during her entire pilgrimage. 

Her seriousness was not of a gloomy cast. She 
was affectionate, sweet-tempered, and yet resolute 
and determined when such qualities were called for. 
It was her endeavor to gratify her children so far 
as would be for their good; but it was her especial 
desire to be faithful to their souls. She was indeed 
a living example of piety, her unconscious influence 
shedding light upon the whole household, while 
valuable instruction was ever falling from her lips. 
As a remarkable evidence of her respect for public 
worship, and of her cheerful submission to the divine 
will even under the most afflicting circumstances, it 
may be mentioned that on the Lord’s day when her 
beloved daughter had been found dead in her bed 
that morning, she attended church, both services. 
To one who afterwards expressed surprise at her 
doing this, she said: “ I could never have done it, if 
I had not been so raised above self by the over¬ 
whelming sense of the happiness of my dear depart¬ 
ed child. My first thought when I saw her dead 


18 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


body was, ‘ Oh, what a beautiful morning this is to 
her,’ and this went with me all day.” 

Arthur’s mother, though small in stature, and 
quiet in disposition, evinced, when the occasion call¬ 
ed it forth, uncommon nerve and resolution. She 
was awakened one night by a noise in the sitting- 
room, and supposing some one had broken into the 
house for burglarious purposes, she arose and con¬ 
fronted the supposed housebreaker, when she found 
that he was only a member of the family who had 
come home at a late hour. 

When the British army, under the command of 
General Burgoyne, had entered the state of New 
York, menacing the whole country, and men were 
called from Massachusetts to repair to Saratoga to 
oppose him, her husband among the number, she 
was seen buckling on his knapsack and other accou¬ 
trements, and was heard to say, “Hurry off, my 
husband; I’m afraid you will be too late.” 

The child of such parents, it would be strange 
indeed if something of their firmness as well as 
genial and devout character had not been impressed 
upon their son, the subject of this narrative. They 
watched over his childhood and youth with tender 
and prayerful solicitude, and both lived to see him, 
in mature life, an exemplary Christian, a successful 
merchant, a man well-known and greatly respected 
as a liberal benefactor to benevolent and religious 
objects. 

Arthur was small in size, of a rather delicate 
constitution, and serious minded. He was not averse 


AT SCHOOL. 


19 


to play, but was of a more industrious habit and 
thoughtful disposition than most boys. From the 
age of five to fifteen he attended the school in the 
centre of the town, under the discipline , if not in¬ 
struction, of perhaps a dozen schoolmasters, who 
were hired by the selectmen of the town by the 
quarter or year. The sons of farmers and other 
laboring men generally attended school during the 
winter months, and the sons of professional men and 
tradesmen throughout the year. 

These schoolmasters were sometimes educated 
men, often very young and inexperienced, and gen¬ 
erally persons whose attainments did not go beyond 
the most common branches of arithmetic, grammar, 
and geography. They had no blackboards, maps, 
or globes, or steel pens! And as the number of 
scholars was very large, and many quite unruly, the 
time of the master was occupied to a great extent, 
in making pens, and feruling or birching the disor¬ 
derly. The large schoolroom was imperfectly warm¬ 
ed ; compared with schoolrooms at the present day, 
it was more like a prison than a schoolhouse. About 
once a quarter the minister visited the school, and 
heard the boys say the catechism. 

Arthur was diligent and painstaking in study, 
and well-behaved. He had the good fortune to es¬ 
cape much chastisement, either at home, or in school. 
Out of school, he delighted in play, in nutting and 
swimming. He also did his share of making hay, 
picking apples, working in the garden, driving the 
cows to pasture, and such labors as were required 


20 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


of the sons of mechanics and country merchants if 
they owned, as his father did, fifteen to twenty acres 
of land in a homestead, orchards, and pastures. 

On more than one occasion his earthly career 
seemed to be near its termination. Once, when quite 
an infant, owing to some carelessness, the press-bed¬ 
stead in the sitting-room in which he had been laid 
to sleep, was turned up by some one -who did no . 
know that a little child was in the bed. Soon after 
the mother or nurse came into the room, and ex¬ 
claimed, “Where is the baby?” The bedstead w T as 
let down, and the almost smothered child was carried 
out into the open air, where, under a good Provi¬ 
dence, the breeze revived him. 

At another time, when a small boy, he and other 
lads in the neighborhood went to the “raising” of a 
. ew dwelling-house near by. According to the cus¬ 
tom of those days the owner of the frame provided 
the town’s people w r lio assembled on the occasion, 
with pails of rum and water. At the conclusion the 
boys scraped up and swallowed the sugar and rum 
that remained in the pails. The consequence was, 
some of them became tipsy. Little Arthur was one 
of the unfortunate ones, and on reaching home fell 
prostrate on the floor of the shed. His father, in 
quest of some wood for the next morning’s fire, saw 
what appeared to him in the darkness of the even¬ 
ing to be a log, was arrested by the groan or mo¬ 
tion of his son, and was thus spared the horror of 
striking the axe into his head! At another time, 
when Arthur was about ten years of age, he under- 



HOW SUNDAY WAS SPENT. 


23 


of their father, Arthur and the rest of the children, 
with “ the girl,” recited the hymns and catechism. 

There was one practice in the family that Re¬ 
deemed the Sabbath from its austerity, at least for 
a time. At the conclusion of the “catechising” a 
nice applepie was the reward for study and g$>od 
behavior, but the mother so managed ,a,s seldom to 
exclude any child from participating in the treat. 
Which of the children will ever forget that oblong 
tin pan, with the luscious pie, particularly those 
who were fortunate enough to get the corner piece! 
This portion often fell to the faithful girl, Polly, 
whose diligent study, and retentive memory, usually 
gave her the post of honor among the catechu¬ 
mens. 

There was'no Sunday-school at that timdf and 
parents had not acquired the art of making the 
Lord’s day pleasant and profitable to their children. 
It is probably even now, a problem difficult of solu¬ 
tion, how to keep the fourth commandment—“ Re¬ 
member the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy”—aright, 
with sufficient license for the exuberant spirits of 
the young. It may be that too many parents de¬ 
volve upon Sunday-school teachers the chief govern¬ 
ment and instruction of their children, instead of 
teaching them “ in the house and by the way” them¬ 
selves, as their companions when they are not in the 
Sunday-school. Our forefathers, we think, were 
overstrict, so as to make religion distasteful to the 
young. It was probably so. But is there not danger 
on the other side, in giving a loose rein, Vnd not 


24 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


sufficiently restraining and guiding the young ? May 
God help parents in the arduous work of training up 
children in the way they should go! 

Mr. Tappan had one rule that delighted his chil¬ 
dren ; he would never whip them on the Lord’s day! 
Ou the contrary, if he had a supply of the good 
“ Seek-no-further,” as he often had, he would take 
out some of the apples from the bottom of the old 
clock, and divide them among the children. The 
mother thought in her advanced age, and acknowl¬ 
edged that rather too tight a rein had been held in 
family government. “ If,” said she, “ I were to live 
my life over again, I would allow my children great¬ 
er indulgence on the Lord’s day, especially when I 
recollect how few interesting books they had to en¬ 
tertain them. I would not confine them to books of 
a strictly religious character, but allow them to read 
good moral publications adapted to their capaci¬ 
ties.” 

Sunday evening, as might have been expected 
after such dilatory hours, was the gayest and most 
noisy of the whole week. The children were impa¬ 
tient to have the Sabbath over. They might well 
say, “O sun! I hate thy beams.” Watching the 
declining sun, and seeing who could the soonest 
exclaim, “The sun is set,” the moment the last rays 
ceased to shine upon the chest of drawers in the 
kitchen, they would rush out of doors, and, together 
with all the boys in the neighborhood make the 
welkin ring with their yells and noisy merriment. 
Strangers in town, who had been accustomed to 


BAKBAKOUS CUSTOMS. 


25 


consider Sunday evening part of tlie Sabbath, were 
astonished at this apparent irreverence of sacred 
time. While some of the boys were trundling hoops, 
or shouting in the streets, others with their sisters 
had hilarious times in the house, while the mothers 
were engaged in sewing or knitting, and the fathers, 
too many of them, were at the public houses, dis¬ 
cussing the news or indulging themselves in smok¬ 
ing and drinking. 

The native place of Arthur Tappan was the shire 
town of a large county, now divided into three coun¬ 
ties, Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin. There 
were semi-annual sessions of the court of common 
pleas, and of the supreme court; and both the 
civil and criminal courts were full of business. The 
five judges, who composed each court, would walk 
from their lodgings in platoon form, with cocked 
hats and powdered hair, preceded by the high 
sheriff, with his half-uniform, his sword and staff, 
while the bell was rung until the judges entered the 
courthouse. Meantime the lawyers would be flock¬ 
ing from all quarters carrying their briefs in green 
satchels, with their law-books under their arms. 
August sight! 

Saturday was the day for the infliction of pun¬ 
ishment upon the the poor wretches who had been 
convicted and sentenced. A gallows was erected in 
the public street in front of the schoolhouse, and 
used for a pillory and whipping post. The prison¬ 
ers were brought from the prison by the jailer, as¬ 
sisted by the deputy sheriffs, while the high sheriff, 
2 


26 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


often mounted on horseback, rode about the gallows 
and among the spectators, superintending the exe¬ 
cution of the law. Meantime the boys were let out 
of school, it being considered proper that the rising 
generation should, for their warning, see, in the 
punishment to be inflicted, that “every transgres¬ 
sion and disobedience received a just recompense of 
reward.” 

Some were set in the pillory an hour, some were 
whipped forty stripes save one, or a less number, 
on the bare back; others, convicted of manslaughter, 
were branded M in their foreheads with a hot iron; 
others had their ears cropped, or were seated upon 
the gallows an hour with ropes about their necks. 
Such barbarous punishments were inflicted upon 
convicted felons in all the shire towns of the com¬ 
monwealth, until a more enlightened public senti¬ 
ment induced the Legislature to abolish them, and 
substitute the penitentiary for the whipping post, 
the pillory, the knife, and the branding iron. 

The effect produced on the boys was very differ¬ 
ent from the calculations of their fathers. The pub¬ 
lic exhibition being over, they would assemble in the 
rear of the schoolhouse, and inflict upon each other 
an imitation of the punishments they had just wit¬ 
nessed. Arthur was not a boy to take part in such 
cruelties, but it is not amiss to describe the scenes 
of which he was a witness. He believed in after¬ 
life, that some improvements had been made in 
society, that men in general were less sanguinary 
than heretofore, but he considered that the term 


BENEFITS OF THE COUNTRY. 


27 


" penitentiary ” was rendered by savage usages in 
stateprisons, a misnomer, suggesting any thing but 
penitence or reformation. 

One of the most cruel usages of that day was the 
incarceration of debtors. Not a few honest and 
worthy, but unfortunate men were shut up in the 
common jails of the country by merciless creditors 
simply because they were unable to pay their debts! 
Taken from their families, deprived of laboring for 
their support, constantly increasing instead of dimin¬ 
ishing their indebtedness, and left to mourn in idle¬ 
ness, in company often with criminals, over their 
misfortunes and the distresses of their families, they 
suffered often more than felons who were imprisoned 
for their crimes. Arthur, with other boys, frequent¬ 
ly saw respectable men thus cut off from society, 
gazing through the iron bars of their cells, in com¬ 
pany with malefactors who had made war upon their 
fellow-men, and were justly receiving the due reward 
of their deeds. Happily for the country, the im¬ 
prisonment of men guilty only of inability to pay 
their debts was, after a severe and protracted strug¬ 
gle, done away. 

Some one has said that children ought to live in 
the country until they are at least twelve years old. 
It was well for Arthur Tappan that he had the ad¬ 
vantages of birth and early life in a country village. 
Had he been reared in a city he might not have 
lived to adult years. The wholesome air, the health¬ 
ful recreations, and the customary employments of 
the country, conduced to the invigoration of his con- 


28 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


stitution, while the beautiful scenery improved his 
taste, invigorated his mind, and was a source of 
unmixed enjoyment. He had his full share of the 
frolics, amusements and occupations of boyhood. 
Simply clad, barefoot half of the year, roaming over 
hill and dale, swimming in warm weather, or sliding 
down hill or sleighing or skating in the winter season, 
with the healthful exercise of climbing, trundling of 
the hoop, flying of the kite, ball playing, trout fish¬ 
ing, nutting, berrying, gardening, wood chopping, 
all these, and the numberless pastimes and employ¬ 
ments that occupied his time, gave a charm to his 
youthful days, and laid the foundation of whatever 
hardiness of constitution, and general health he 
enjoyed in after years. 

His parents indulged him, as they did his broth¬ 
ers, in permission to keep doves, squirrels, rabbits, 
chickens, and sometimes a dog, or a fox, and he 
was never known to treat them cruelly. His dispo¬ 
sition was kind and humane, albeit, like other boys 
at that day, he gathered birds’ eggs, and kept them 
in his chamber on strings, much to the discredit, as 
we now think of both the pilferers and their parents. 
There was in those days no kind-hearted Henry 
Bergli* to keep “watch and ward” over the animal 
kingdom. 

It was a joyful time to the children when they 
were permitted to throw aside their stockings and 
shoes, and go barefoot during the snmmer months. 

* President of the “American Society for the Prevention of 
Cruelty to Animals.” 


THE FRESHETS. 


29 


“ When you can’t see any snow on Mount Holyoke,” 
tlieir father used to say, “Then you may leave your 
shoes off.” The mountains, both Mount Holyoke 
and Mount Tom, were daily watched by the impa¬ 
tient boys, who fancied the snow was gone dong be¬ 
fore their parents did, and many little disputations 
took place whether that white appearance was snow 
or not. 

Arthur’s mother contrived to rear her ten chil¬ 
dren without much aid from the physician, who 
once said, “ If there were ten such mothers in town 
I would move away.” With Buchan’s “Domestic 
Medicine,” and pills made of a decoction of the bark 
of the butternut-tree, she managed to be the physi¬ 
cian of the family, so that a doctor was seldom em¬ 
ployed. The pills, made from the bark the boys 
were sent into the woods to gather, were a panacea 
for all childhood complaints. The nauseous medi¬ 
cine was hid in preserved quince, and in the pres¬ 
ence of the sick child, the good mother seeming to 
forget the proverb :• “ Surely in vain the net is spread 
in the sight of any bird.” 

One of the wondrous sights of Arthur’s boyhood 
was to see from the belfry of the meetinghouse, the 
great freshets that occasionally occurred in the 
spring. At such times the Connecticut river would 
overflow its banks, and submerge the meadows, 
thousand of acres appearing like a vast lake. These 
overflows enriched the grounds Nile-like, and were 
the cause of great excitement to the inhabitants, 
and exhilaration to the children. 



30 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


As the water subsided the shad and salmon fish¬ 
ing-place on the banks of the Connecticut, in the 
meadow, attracted the boys; and as the nets were 
drawn to the shore the action of the fish in their 
attempts to escape greatly excited and amused 
them. The proportion of salmon to shad was very 
small, and the value of a pound of the former was 
equal to a full-sized one of the latter. Those scenes 
are unknown probably at the present day, when 
dams and factories prevent the fish from ascending 
the river. 

The first death in the family was on October 30, 
1793, when the youngest child of the family, little 
George, a mere infant, was taken away. Arthur was 
seven years old. He never forgot the solemn scenes; 
the christening, the death, the funeral, the long pro¬ 
cession, the grave, the lowering of the coffin, the 
heavy sound upon it, and the tolling of the dreadful 
bell, whose inscription was: 

“I to tlie church the living call, 

And to the grave do summon all.” 

But joys and sorrows are mingled, not only in 
the hearts of children, but of adults also. The same 
year was the first wedding he attended, that of a sis¬ 
ter very dear to him. The scenes attending it w r ere 
also engraven upon his memory. After the cere¬ 
mony, the singing, the congratulations, the enter¬ 
tainment, a procession was formed according to pre¬ 
vailing custom, that moved from the dwelling of the 
bride, to the house of the bridegroom. Little Arthur 
brought up the rear with some boy or girl of his 


GOOD SCHOOLMASTER. 


31 


own age, while the two younger children could 
hardly be pacified to remain at home when all 
seemed to have gone away to enjoy themselves. 

When a lad, his mother held up to him the ex¬ 
ample of his schoolmaster—one of the best he ever 
had—Mr. Bancroft Fowler, then in a law office, 
and subsequently a minister of the gospel in much 
estimation. Being somewhat intimate in the family, 
she had knowledge of a set of rules he had written 
down for his own guidance. One of them, “Dare 
to be singular,” particularly pleased her, and she 
recommended it to her son as a valuable rule for him 
in the journey of life. 

These items have an interest for young persons, * 
at least, and especially for the descendants of him 
whose life is herein sketched. Wordsworth says: 

“The child is father of the man.” 

And they may see, in the preceding narrative 
and what follows of the youth of Arthur Tappan, 
the germ of the man. 

In after-life his native town was never forgotten. 
The scenes of his childhood were dear to him, and 
the companions of his youth were ever in his mem¬ 
ory. He loved play, took a full share of the hilari¬ 
ties'of his playmates, and cheerfully did his part of 
the small labors that devolved upon him. In his 
view there was never such a delightful place. Well 
might he say then : 

“These were thy charms, sweet village! sports like these, 
With sweet succession, taught e’en toil to please.” 

He retained all his days a peculiar love of the 


32 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


country, and praised its streams, its trees, its flow¬ 
ers, its woods, its roads, its hills, its mountains, with 
almost youthful delight; and he mourned that chil¬ 
dren reared in cities could not in their early years 
have the enjoyments and healthy pursuits of a 
country life. It seemed to him that Providence 
had so ordered it that his life was to be spent chief¬ 
ly in the city, and he submitted to the necessity, en¬ 
deavoring to make the best of it, while his choice 
would have been a rural residence. 


HIS CLERKSHIP. 


33 


II. 


Arthuk’s brother John, five years older than him¬ 
self, was a clerk in the wholesale importing store of 
Sewall & Salisbury in Boston, and had made ar¬ 
rangements by which he was admitted as an appren¬ 
tice, as clerks were then called, in the same establish¬ 
ment. It was in the spring of 1801, when he was 
nearly fifteen years of age, that he left his father’s 
house, and, mounted on a horse belonging to one of 
his employers, that had been kept during the winter 
in the country, proceeded to Boston. His parents 
had confidence in him, as they had trained him in 
the way he should go, and confided in a covenant¬ 
keeping God. His mother had said, “I never knew 
him tell a he.” „ With their small means to give him 
an outfit they might have said, “ Silver and gold 
have we none, but such as we have give we thee— 
our benediction and prayers.” When he was pre¬ 
sented to Mr. Sewall at No. 16 Merchants’ Bow, near 
Faneuil Hall, that gentleman, who was himself be¬ 
low the medium size, gave him a scrutinizing look, 
and said, “ You are smaller than I expected.” The 
fragile little fellow in aftertimes, on mentioning this 
reception to one of his children, said, “I straight¬ 
ened myself up and looked as tall as I could.” 

Boston was his mother’s birthplace. At no great 
distance from the store where he was to be employ¬ 
ed, was the shop where his father had served his 
2 * 


34 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


apprenticeship, just forty years before, with William 
Homes, the “honest goldsmith,” as he was called, 
and the father of his future wife. Boston was a 
small town then, containing about thirty thousand 
inhabitants. His uncle Homes now occupied the 
same shop, and also pursued the goldsmith business. 

There were two departments in the store of Sewall 
& Salisbury, the hardware, and dry goods. Arthur 
was placed in the former. His employers put him 
to board in the family of Colonel Joseph May, whose 
wife was a sister of Mr. Sewall. The 3 r oung clerk 
had the privilege of visiting in the family of Mr. 
Sewall, and it was a privilege he highly valued. Of¬ 
ten did he speak of the intelligence and amiability 
of this family, of the affectionate intercourse between 
the parents, and between them and their children. 

In Col. May’s family he had many advantages. 
From daily intercourse with a man of so much prac¬ 
tical wisdom, he doubtless received impressions that 
were useful to him in subsequent life. It is said in 
Freeman Hunt’s “Sketches of Public Characters,” 
that Col. May, having failed in business at the early 
age of thirty-eight, gave up all his property, “ even 
to the ring on his finger, for the benefit of his cred¬ 
itors;” that “he resolved never to be a rich man,” 
preferring to take a moderate salary as secretary of 
of an insurance company, being there and elsewhere, 
remarkable for his “ love of order, his methodical 
habits, and his high estimate of the importance of 
punctuality.” 

For upwards of two years, young Tappan was in 


HIS BROTHER JOHN. 


35 


the employment of the firm, and afterwards to the 
end of his minority, the clerk of their successors, 
Sewall, Salisbury & Co., his brother John having 
been received as a partner in 1803. They occu¬ 
pied the same store, and his board was paid by 
his employers from the first, while the perquisites of 
the store divided among the clerks, were sufficient 
for his other expenses. “My brother John,” he 
once said, “ was likG a kind father to me. I attend¬ 
ed evening school, and studied all my spare time. 
As the youngest clerk, I had to clean and fill twen¬ 
ty-four oil lamps in the store. Another boy, who 
afterwards became an eminent merchant, I used to 
meet trundling home goods in a wheelbarrow. I was 
troubled with a chronic headache, and when it was. 
more severe than usual, and I was tired, I occasion¬ 
ally crept upon a shelf behind a pile of goods to rest 
my head and get a little sleep.” He was subject to 
this headache daily, during his whole clerkship, and, 
indeed throughout his life; but although its effects 
were discernible in his countenance and manners, 
he seldom made any complaint, or even allusion to 
it. He strove hard, and with much success, to com¬ 
bat its influence on his nervous system, and his social 
intercourse. 

Besides making himself master of the hardware 
business, he acquired a knowledge of dry goods, as 
opportunity offered, and also learned book-keeping 
by the Italian or double entry system, which was 
about that time introduced into the business-firms 
of Boston. 


36 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


During the early part of his residence m Boston, 
he attended public worship on the Lord’s day, there 
being no week-day services among Congregational- 
its, at the Old South church, where his parents and 
grandparents had been members. On the settle¬ 
ment of Rev. William E. Channing, as pastor of the 
Federal Street church and society, in the latter part 
of 1803, he attended there, sitting in his brother 
John’s pew. Mr. Channing was considered at that 
time an evangelical minister, or something very near 
it. In the pulpit he was the “beau ideal” of the 
poet Cowper’s preacher, and discoursed with ear¬ 
nestness and eloquence. In society he was greatly 
beloved, remarkable for his self-respect, and for 
maintaining the dignity of the ministerial office. 
His preaching, though afterwards considered defi¬ 
cient by evangelical people, in and out of the con¬ 
gregation, w~as characterized by fervor and serious¬ 
ness. His favorite themes were the paternal char¬ 
acter of God, and Jesus Christ as a moral and spir¬ 
itual instructor. In his theological views he was an 
Arian. His youthful hearer, the subject of this 
narrative, ever acknowledged the interest he took in 
the preaching, and in the preacher. And his rever¬ 
ence and affection were revived and strengthened, 
when in afterlife, Dr. Channing took a decided part 
in the anti-slavery agitation, in favor of free speech, 
and the deliverance of the country from its chief 
curse, human bondage. 

During the largest part of his minority he had 
the gratification of frequently visiting his sister, the 


SHIPWBECK OF JOHN TAPPAN. 37 


wife of Rev. John Pierce of Brookline. It was his 
custom on such occasions, to walk from his resi¬ 
dence in Boston to the parsonage, about five miles, 
on Sunday morning, and return in the same way at 
night. In that happy and hospitable family he 
spent many delightful days, and had the opportuni¬ 
ty of hearing a large number of clergymen in their 
exchanges with the village pastor. He had also the 
privilege of occasionally visiting his uncle, Bev. 
Dr. David Tappan, professor of divinity in Harvard 
College at Cambridge, until his death, August 27, 
1803. 

Every year he had the opportunity of visiting 
his parents at Northampton, and at intervals of wel¬ 
coming them in Boston. His father came to Bos¬ 
ton once or twice a year to make his purchases of 
goods, and his mother sometimes accompanied him. 
At one time he went with his father to see his aged 
grandmother at Manchester, Mass., and greatly 
prized the opportunity of paying his respects to the 
venerable woman. 

His mother wrote to him May 9, 1805: “I doubt 
not you are deeply affected with the situation in 
w T hich your dear brother John has been placed. By 
an overruling providence God has returned him to 
his friends, laden with abundant experience of his 
great power and wonderful mercy.” She alluded to 
the shipwreck. 

He was passenger in the ship Jupiter, which 
sailed from London to New York, in the early part 
of 1805, with seventy-two passengers. On the sixth 


38 


ABTHUK TAPPAN. 


of April, a great field of ice was seen, and before 
night no way could be found through it. At mid¬ 
night the first mate was so intoxicated that he fell 
upon deck, and the captain being upon the bowsprit 
looking out for the islands of ice, the ship struck an 
iceberg, and began to fill very fast. The boats were 
got out, and all but twenty-seven sprang into them. 
But the boats could hold no more, and all the rest— 
men, women and children—went down in the ship, 
in less than an hour after she struck the ice. 

One man and his wife and nine children, were 
among those that were lost. Another man lost his 
mother, brother,, sisters and two nephews. One of 
the passengers was a clergyman, who was emigra¬ 
ting to the United States with some of the people 
of his charge. As the yawl left the side of the ship 
he was heard talking to his two little sons, with 
whom he was walking the deck to and fro, saying, 
“We shall soon be in heaven, dear children!” The 
deck of the ship was then but a foot or two above 
the water. John Tappan was providentially saved, 
with forty-five others, one of them a babe but six 
months old. He was in the yawl, which, together 
with the long boat, was on the ocean, a thousand 
miles from land, three days before they saw a ves¬ 
sel. They were taken up and brought safely to the 
United States, having suffered somewhat by being 
frozen.* 

During Arthur’s clerkship, his cousin, Kobert 
Homes, died in Boston. He was a merchant, and 
° See “Memoir of Mrs. Sarali Tappan,” p. 50. 


FUNERAL OBSERVANCES. 


39 


died at an early age. Arthur attended the funeral. 
Funerals at that time, and for several years after¬ 
wards, were usually conducted in this wise. The 
relatives, acquaintances, neighbors, and other per¬ 
sons after assembling at the dwelling-house of the 
deceased, and attending to the prayer offered by the 
pastor, were treated with wine, carried about on 
waiters. A list of the names of persons to walk in 
the procession was meantime prepared. Neither 
carriages nor hearses were used, but the mourners 
and friends followed the bier that was borne on 
men’s shoulders. As their names were read off by 
the conductor of the funeral ceremonies, they left 
the house and formed a procession in couples, walk¬ 
ing through the streets to the place of burial in the 
town, as it was then called. 

The list included, if practicable, all the persons 
who attended the funeral obsequies, and it often 
happened that a young man and maiden were called 
off to walk together who had never seen each other 
before. Solemn silence prevailed at the grave, and 
when it was sodded over, the pall-bearers returned 
to the former residence of the deceased with the rel¬ 
atives to receive refreshment of some sort, while the 
rest of the company went to their several abodes. 

It was customary for the gentleman to wait upon 
the lady with whom he walked, to her abode; and * 
it not unusually occurred that the transient acquain¬ 
tance of the parties terminated in a lasting friend¬ 
ship, “for better, for worse,” that continued the 
whole life. 


40 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


There was living in Boston at this time, an old 
lady, Mrs. Abigail Waters, an aunt of Arthur’s 
mother, being her mother’s sister, nearly ninety 
years of age. She retained her faculties to a re¬ 
markable degree, attended the Old South church 
every Sabbath, enjoyed the calls and conversation 
of both old and young people, and occasionally went 
to little family parties. She had considerable wit; 
and her piety was beyond a question. It was enter¬ 
taining to Arthur, her grand-nephew, to hear from 
the lips of this venerable woman of the youthful 
days of his parents and of their parents, and of Bos¬ 
ton and its surroundings, in the early part of tho 
preceding century. This aged mother in Israel, 
though in unusual health for a person of her ad¬ 
vanced age, used to speak of her departure with 
cheerful trust and confidence, as one about to set 
out on a pleasant journey. She said to one of her 
youthful visitors one morning, “ I woke up last night 
and thought that I was dead, but when I found that 
I was not, I felt, oh, how sorry!” She died Novem¬ 
ber 22, 1816, in the ninety-sixth year of her age. 
The last words uttered by her were—“ Open to me 
the gates, that I may enter in !”* 

For nearly seven years he was, as we have seen, 
in the service of the mercantile firms above men- 
* tioned. During the whole period he was distin¬ 
guished for his industry, good habits, and exemplary 
devotion to the interests of his employers. He had 

* See “ Memoirs of the Life of Mrs. Abigail Waters,” by Rev. 
Joshua Huntington, pastor of the Old South church, Boston. 


MOKAL YOUNG MAN. 


41 


but few associates out of the domestic circle, and 
shunned all companionship with frivolous*and vicious 
persons. When not engaged in the store, he employed 
his leisure in useful reading and study, or in healthy 
recreation. His father had advised him to be out 
in the open air as much as possible, and accustom 
himself to walking and bathing frequently, as it 
had been his practice in his youth. He did not 
fail to comply with this advice, which well suited 
his natural inclination. 

His brother John has recently said of him : “He 
was remarkably correct in conduct, he acquired 
knowledge by digging hard for it, and though the 
least sprightly, he was the most serious o^the broth¬ 
ers.” It is not intended that, at this time, he had 
experienced the regenerating grace of God. The 
instructions and prayers of his parents, and the 
other religious teachings in his boyhood, though 
they had some effect upon his conscience, had not 
induced him to secure “the pearl of great price.” 
And the religious teachings during the after years 
of his minority had influenced him to think a change 
of heart was unnecessary, that a good moral char¬ 
acter Was about all that was required. 

He aimed to be moral, and could probably say 
with the young man in the gospel, as to his obser¬ 
vance of the second table of the commandments, 
“ All these things have I kept from my youth up.” 
Without filial trust he felt an awe of the Almighty, 
and might also have truly said of himself, as did 
Milton in his youth: “I again take God to witness 


42 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


that, in all places where so many things are consid¬ 
ered lawful, I lived sound and untouched from all 
profligacy and vice; having this thought perpetual¬ 
ly with me, that, though I might escape the eyes of 
man, I certainly could not the eyes of God.”* 

He recoiled from vice and from vicious persons, 
and no one, it is believed, ever heard him utteB an 
impure or profane word. He avoided also the 
“secret sins,” as well as “presumptuous transgres¬ 
sions” that too commonly assail and defile the 
young, to the injury of both body and spirit. Ab¬ 
staining from fleshly lusts and impurities, that “ war 
against the soul,” he was remarkable for purity. 
The advice of the poet to his youthful friend was 
not unheeded by him : 

“The sacred lowe o’ weel-plac’d love, 

Luxuriantly indulge it; 

But never tempt th’ ilicit rove, 

Tho’ naetking should divulge it: 

I wave the quantum o’ the sin, 

The hazard of concealing ; 

But och! it hardens a’ within, 

And petrifies the feeling!” 

It may be truly said that he had an aversion to 
the besetting sins of youth, in the sense defined by 
the Eev.. Eowland Hill, the celebrated eccentric 
preacher in London: “ You ought to feel an aver¬ 
sion to sin,” said he to a youth with whom he was 
conversing. “ What do you mean by that?” inquired 
the young man. “I mean,” said Mr. Hill, “you 

° See the “Account of Milton’s Tour through France,” in 1639, 
after an absence of fifteen months. 


HIS AYEESION TO SIN. 


43 


should feel toward sin as you would if putting your 
hand into your pocket, you touched a toad ?”* 

* Mr. Tappan had the curiosity to hear Mr. Hill when in London, 
in 1810. The audience was large, and the minister full of anima¬ 
tion. His erect figure, peculiar gesticulation, and forcible lan¬ 
guage were not soon to be forgotten. Neither was the occasional 
coarseness of his illustrations. The subject that evening was, 
“The superiority of the light of revelation over the light of 
nature.” 


44 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


III. 

When lie was in his twenty-first year, lie and his 
brother Lewis were drafted into the United States’ 
service, as part of one hundred thousand militia 
ordered out by President Jefferson, in view of the 
possibility of a war with France. Only twenty-six 
soldiers were drafted from the eighth ward, which 
was one of the largest in Boston, and it seemed sin¬ 
gular that the two brothers, out of the large number 
enrolled, were both drafted. They were accustomed 
to “train” in the militia company, composed of 
men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, of 
the ward in which they boarded. The twenty-six, 
under the command of an ensign, were paraded at 
the foot of the Common, went through the manual 
exercise, were marched to and fro without music, 
and at length dismissed, to hold themselves in read¬ 
iness whenever their services should be required! 
But they never were required, and the preposterous 
notion of mustering such a body of militia troops 
to defend the nation against a foreign country be¬ 
came a subject of derision, especially on the part of 
opponents of the national administration. 

In the autumn of this year (1806) he visited 
Montreal, with a view to ascertain, by personal ob¬ 
servation and inquiry, whether it would be a suita¬ 
ble place for him to commence business the ensuing 
year, as his employers had determined to set him up 


VISIT TO MONTREAL. 


45 


in trade, with another clerk, in testimony of their 
appreciation of their long and faithful services. In a 
letter to his sister, four years younger than himself, he 
gave an account of his journey, which at that day was 
a slow and tedious one. He described Montreal and 
its surroundings, mentioned persons he had known 
in his native town, who had become residents of 
that city, and spoke of the hospitality shown kirn 
by them, and those to whom he carried letters of 
recommendation. Though favorably impressed in 
many respects, he thought there was not much haz¬ 
ard, to use his own expression, “in predicting that 
Montreal would not be the place for him to settle 
in.” Still he seemed to have an idea that he might, 
at some future time, take up his abode there, in the 
midst of the French and English population, as ap¬ 
pears from another letter to the same sister, dated 
Boston, February 9, 1807, in which he says: 

“.I have now commenced the study of the 

French language, and, that none of my time may be 
lost, I allow myself but five or six of the twenty-four 
hours for sleep. This I am told by those who are 
too indolent to imitate my example, will injure my 
health, but feeling no ill-effects from it, I have no 
reason to think it correct, but am more and more 
confirmed in the opinion that most people spend 
twice the time in sleep that is necessary.” 

The spring following, having arrived at the age 
of twenty-one, he made preparations to go into the 
dry goods importing business at Portland, in the 
‘‘District of Maine,” in Massachusetts, so-called as 



46 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


it had not then been admitted into the national 
union as a state. His partner was Henry D. Sew¬ 
all, son of Chief Justice Sewall, and nephew of 
Mr. Joseph Sewall, his late employer. The new 
firm was Tappan & Sewall. A competent capital 
was furnished them by Sewall, Salisbury & Co., 
which was afterwards gratefully repaid with inter¬ 
est. 

The following affectionate and faithful letter was 
written to him by his mother, after he had made 
one of his annual visits to his parents, at the termi¬ 
nation of his clerkship, and when he was about com¬ 
mencing business at Portland. 

Northampton, June, 1807. 

My Deab Son : I cannot feel willing you should leave me 
without saying more to you than I have; and, as I have not 
the opportunity to speak, I think best to write. Your 
happiness, as that of all my children, lies near my heart. 
I would not, on any account, give them unnecessary pain. 
It is your happiness I seek, and fain would I assist you 
in building it on a sure foundation. “ Other foundation 
can no man lay than that is laid , which is Jesus Christ.” 
1 Cor. 3:11. Build on Christ Jesus, as the chief corner¬ 
stone. 

I fear you have imbibed some errors, from what you 
dropped last night respecting the new birth. There are 
many loose writers, and it is to be feared, unsound preachers 
in our day. But the word of God is plain. He that run¬ 
neth may read. Study it attentively, with sincere and fer¬ 
vent prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to enlight¬ 
en your darkened understanding, and make your path of 
duty plain. God is a prayer-hearing God. He has not said 
to the seed of Jacob, seek my face in vain. The Bible is full 
of encouragement to those who diligently seek for true wis¬ 
dom, and assures us that all her paths are peace, and her 


LETTER FROM HIS MOTHER. 47 

Trays pleasant; and, from forty years’ experience, I can sub¬ 
scribe to the truth of it. 

O taste and see that the Lord is gracious, full of compas¬ 
sion, not willing that any should perish. Hear him say in 
his word, “ Turn ye, for why will ye die ? Seek, and ye shall 
find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; whosoever 
will, let him come, and take the water of life freely, without 
money and without price.” “ Believe, and take the promised 
rest.” Pray for an entire change of heart and pursuits; that 
you may love God supremely, and place your chief happi¬ 
ness in obeying his precepts. Hate sin sincerely, and strive 
constantly to overcome every evil propensity; and this not 
in your own strength, but relying on promised assistance 
from Him who hath said, “My strength shall be made per¬ 
fect in your weakness, and my grace is at all times sufficient 
for you.” We have abundant reason to believe that if we 
are sincere in seeking for mercy, we shall have God on our 
side. If God was not more willing to save us than we are 
to be saved, he never -would have given up his Son a ransom 
for sinners, nor informed us of it in his word, nor sent the 
Holy Spirit to convince us of sin, and urge us to repentance. 

From my own experience I firmly believe the Calvinistic 
doctrines to be Scriptural. I would not willingly consent to 
abrogate one of them. I love to acknowledge myself noth¬ 
ing, that God may be all. I feel that I am depraved in the 
whole man; that in me naturally there is no good; that all 
my sufficiency is of God; and it is my happiness that I may 
go to him as a guilty, weak and helpless creature, and cast all 
my cares*upon him. He has promised never to leave nor 
forsake me, and I can trust his word. It is this comfort, my 
dear child, that I wish you to enjoy. It is what the world 
can neither give, nor deprive us of. Oh, seek first the king¬ 
dom of God, and all other things shall be added unto you : 
that is, you shall be fully satisfied with the allotments of 
Providence ; and how can it be otherwise if you believe the 
promise, “that all things shall work together for good to 
them who put their trust in him.” Therefore in all your 
ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths; trust 
not to your own understanding, it will deceive you. ...... 



48 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


That you may be made to see your lost, undone estate, by 
nature and practice, and directed to rely wholly on the merits 
of a glorious Saviour; that you may be filled with the divine 
influences of the Holy Spirit, sanctifying and purifying your 
nature, and live to the glory of God, is the sincere prayer of 
your affectionate mother, SARAH TAPPAN. 

As was the custom in those days with young 
merchants about to commence business, he and his 
partner, before occupying their store in September, 
1807, hired a horse and chaise to visit the different 
towns in New Hampshire and Vermont, to inform 
country merchants of their intentions, and solicit their 
custom. During their excursion they went to the 
White hills, as the White mountains were then call¬ 
ed, hired a guide, and ascended to the top of Mount 
Washington, an exploit almost equal, at the time, to 
an ascension of the Alps at the present day. There 
was then no road, and not much of a path, and the 
ascent had been rarely made. The pedestrians 
were out two nights, losing themselves in a fog, but 
being amply recompensed with a magnificent view 
when the sun shone out. 

After being in business about two months, he 
wrote to his sister from Portland, under date of Oc¬ 
tober 25,1807, giving a brief description of the town, 
and his boarding place, which, he says, “is at the 
house of a merchant recently reduced to bankruptcy, 
and now keeping boarders for a livelihood.” He 
adds: 

“ When I behold such a picture, my mind recoils 
at the view, and a resolution half escapes me, to 
avoid the possibility of ever sharing a similar fate, 


LETTERS TO HIS SISTER. 49 

and beholding those who would be endeared to me 
by the most tender ties reduced with myself to 
struggle with misfortune. But should we reject a 
certain good from an apprehension of evil ? Should 
we not brand that person as an idiot, who refuses to 
buy an estate because ifc would increase his cares 
and subject him to greater losses, when the posses¬ 
sion would extend his means of benevolence, and 
enable him, by giving happiness to others, to enlarge 
the bounds of his own. No less is that person to 
be despised who denies himself the enjoyments of a 
family and the opportunities such a situation gives 
of doing good, from the cowardly apprehension of 
misfortunes w T hich ten thousand chances to one, 
never happen. But what am I writing? You will, 
I believe, be no less puzzled than myself to answer 
this question, so wishing you success I am your most 
obedient and most affectionate brother, 

“ARTHUR TAPPAN.” 

The following letters to his sister were written in 
the ensuing year. 

Portland, April 2, 1808. 

After mentioning that an overture had been 
made to him to remove his business to Boston, 
which, after reflection both he and his partner had 
declined, he says: ^ 

“ ’T is not so much on the place or the circle of 
acquaintance that our happiness rests, as on our¬ 
selves. A contented mind is a source of enjoyment 
within the reach of every person, and which it is 
our duty to possess. I do not mean that we should 
3 


50 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


be satisfied with our mental acquirements, or ad¬ 
vancement in piety, but with the dispensations of 
Providence. The numerous sources of enjoyment 
which encircle every one, may be embittered or made 
productive only of misery, by an unhappy temper, 
while a firm reliance on God will promote a disposi¬ 
tion to enjoy his bounties and sweeten every occur¬ 
rence of life. Since, then, I can have little hope 
of again residing in Boston, it will be my study to 
know and appreciate the advantages of my present 
situation.” 

Being on a short visit at Boston he writes to 
his sister at Northampton, his views of the circus, 
especially its influence on young women, and then 
sarcastically says: 

“Boston, May 14, 1808. 

“ But I know some who, too little refined to relish 
such amusements, have had the independence and 
good sense to resist the allurements of fashion, and 
form a just estimate of this ennobling entertainment! 
We seem fast progressing to that state of purity of 
manners and perfection of tastes which delight in 
exalted pursuits, and to that time when bull-baiting 
and other amusements equally characteristic of a 
polished age will be encouraged by the fashionable 
world. Fashion! Fashion! How much is society 
influenced by this little word; how few are able to 
resist its potency. To be wholly insensible to its 
power is perhaps not desirable, but those are surely 
to be pitied who allow its influence to predominate 
over nature and over reason.” 


LETTEE FROM HIS FATHEE. 


51 


After living at Portland about two years, they 
made up their minds that Montreal was probably a 
larger field for business, and therefore closed up 
their affairs, and opened a store in that city, with 
the hope of soon realizing a moderate fortune. In 
a community where so many of the inhabitants and 
people with whom he should transact business spoke 
the French language, he deemed it best to board in 
a French family. He derived both instruction and 
amusement while living in this way, but after a while 
thought it best to reside with his own countrymen. 

The following letter was written to him by his 
father: 

“Northampton, Jan. 17, 1809. 

My Dear Son : I received a letter from you dated the 15tk 
of May, and since that time have heard from you by the way 
of Charles, in a letter he wrote at Walpole on his return from 
Canada. I hope that your goods have arrived before this 
time, that you may make it profitable to do business in that 
region. 

I understand by a fine from Lewis, that Charles is now on 
his way to make you another visit. I hope to hear from you 
by him, and to have news that will gladden the hearts of 
your parents. Your temporal, and especially eternal inter¬ 
est, will ever lie near our hearts, and we charge you, my dear 
son, to make religion your business, and to attend to the con¬ 
cerns of your soul without any delay. Seek the one thing 
needful, and choose that good part which shall never be 
taken away from you. Be not,, my dear son, too much taken 
up with the world, and things that are seen and temporal, 
and neglect the more important concerns of another world. 
We are all hastening out of time into eternity, and must give 
a strict and impartial account of our own improvement of the 
day and means of grace. We are anxious for you, my son, 
lest, living among the profane and worldly, you lose any seri¬ 
ous impressions you may have had heretofore, and five with- 


52 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


out God in the world. Your parents were sorry to have you 
leave Portland and go to Montreal, principally because of the 
want of religion there, and the abounding of wickedness 
among the inhabitants, the name and day of God openly pro¬ 
faned, or rather, as we hear, little or no regard paid to the 
Sabbath and the ordinances of the gospel. We know the 
depravity of the heart of man, and how prone we are to cast 
off fear and restrain prayer, even where religion is supported 
and countenanced. What then must be the danger of a 
youth who has no examples set before him but those that are 
bad, and is under no restraints but those of his own con¬ 
science. Temptations are always ready to assault the young, 
and unless restraining grace is given, they will be likely to 
fall into sin and perish. 

Oh, my son, be upon your guard; shun as much as possi¬ 
ble evil company; go not with the wicked and profane of 
either sex, but, if possible to find any such, associate with 
the virtuous and good, and make such your chosen compan¬ 
ions and most intimate friends. Pray to God, my Son, both 
morning and evening, to sanctify you, and keep you from sin 
and all evil, to make you holy, that you may be happy. Live 
a life of religion; live above the world, and be not conformed 
to the maxims and practices of it, that are sinful and dis¬ 
pleasing to a holy God, but abstain from the very appearance 
of evil. You have the prayers of your parents that God 
would preserve you to his kingdom. 

Your friends here are all well. 

Your affectionate father, BENJ. TAPPAN, 

From Montreal lie again wrote to liis sister, Oc¬ 
tober 30, 1809. After stating that he, with his part¬ 
ner and one or two other friends, had commenced 
housekeeping as bachelors, he says: 

“ But upon the whole I am happier in this sort 
of life than I was in a boarding-house. We take 
our turns in the care of the house, and have every 
thing arranged in the most systematic order. On 


HIS FUTURE WIFE. 


53 


Sundays we deviate so much from the custom of the 
fashionable world in this city, as to attend church 
ticice; and in the evening we call our little family 
together, closing it by reading a sermon. Thus, you 
see-, I am in no danger of losing my good old New 
England habits.” 

The young merchants were so successful that 
they had the means of building a substantial stone 
warehouse on St. Paul-street, and were, as they 
fondly hoped, in a way speedily to make money 
enough to justify them in relinquishing their busi¬ 
ness in Canada, and returning to the States. The 
business was a general importing business of British 
goods, and they prosecuted it with an energy and 
devotedness that surprised their neighbors. 

It was here that lie met, for the first time, his 
future wife, Frances Antill. She was the daughter 
of Colonel Edward Antill, whose father of the same 
name came from England wdiile a young man, set¬ 
tled in New Jersey, and married the daughter of 
Governor Morris of that state. The father of Miss 
Antill, after graduating at Columbia College, then 
King’s College, pursued his law studies in New York 
city. In order to perfect himself in the French lan¬ 
guage, he visited Quebec, where his sister resided, 
intending to return to New York, fix his abode 
there, and open a law office. But having formed 
the acquaintance of a young French lady, he w T as so 
attracted by her beauty that, notwithstanding she 
was a Boman-catholic, he married her. This was 
on the 4th of May, 1767. They settled in Montreal. 


54 


ARTHURTAPPAN. 


When hostilities commenced between England and 
the American colonies, Mr. Antill took the side of 
the Americans, received a commission of colonel, 
and joined the army, while his own brother served 
on the side of the British, with the rank of colonel. 

Miss Antill was an orphan. While visiting her 
friends in Quebec, she frequently heard the two 
young men from New England ridiculed on account 
of their strict morality and careful deportment, so 
much in contrast with the gayety and freedom of 
the society around her. Her interest was aroused, 
and her acquaintance with one of them terminated 
in a life-long attachment. Upon her return to Oris- 
k&ny, Oneida county, N. Y., the home of her sister 
and brother-in-law, Colonel and Mrs. Lansing, a 
correspondence was begun that ended in an engage¬ 
ment, and the parties were married in September, 
1810, by the Bev. Dr. Carnahan, afterwards presi¬ 
dent of Princeton College, New Jersey. 

Mr. Tappan embarked for England shortly after 
his marriage, to purchase goods for his firm in Mon¬ 
treal. In about two months his brother Lewis, of 
the firm of Tappan & Searle, Boston, joined him. 
The two brothers, who were engaged in similar pur¬ 
suits, visited London and several manufacturing 
towns in England, making their principal abode in 
Manchester. As leisure afforded, they visited places 
of interest, seized every opportunity to acquaint 
themselves with men and things in the land of their 
fathers, and made purchases of books and prints for 
their future gratification and improvement. Early 


LETTERS TO HIS SISTER. 


55 


in the ensuing spring, having completed their pur¬ 
chases and forwarded their goods to Liverpool, they 
repaired there to ship the goods and embark for 
them native land. But as delays of various kinds 
occurred, and Arthur was impatient to return to the 
United States, he left his business with his brother, 
who shipped the goods of both, and embarked for 
home a few weeks after. 

On Arthur’s return to Montreal, notwithstanding 
the gloomy state of political affairs between the 
United States and England, he did not anticipate 
any serious interruption to his mercantile business. 
On the contrary, he and his partner in trade antici¬ 
pated a career of success, so auspiciously begun. 

The following letters were written to his sister 
Eliza during his residence in Montreal: 

“ Montreal, June 28,1811.Although it is 

now eleven, at night, and I have just finished a hard 
day’s work at the store, I cannot miss the opportu¬ 
nity by Mr. D-to inform you of our health. . . . 

I am at the store and constantly hurried from morn¬ 
ing till ten and eleven at night.” 

Writing to his sister of the illness of his wife, 
Montreal, March 10, 1812, he says: “ The weather 
is now fine, and we hope by riding out the fever will 
be surmounted. I wish our dear mother was here. 
She would be worth a thousand physicians.” 

Writing to the same, May 20, 1812, after descri¬ 
bing his domestic happiness, and expressing a strong 
desire that his sister would visit him, he says: “ I 
have written lately with considerable anxiety re- 


56 


AETHUB TAPPAN. 


specting the prospect of this country being made the 
scene and theatre of war; but my fears are now 
very much abated, as you will naturally conclude 
from my urging you to visit Us.” 

The affairs between the two countries became 
more and more serious, until the Congress of the 
United States issued a declaration of war against 
Great Britain, in 1812, when an invasion of Canada 
by the United States forces was threatened. The 
two partners continued in Montreal, attending to 
their embarrassed business. They had the mortifi¬ 
cation to witness the United States soldiers, surren¬ 
dered by General Hull, marched through the streets 
of that city amid the derision of the people. As the 
war advanced, the Canadian government required 
all citizens of the United States living in Canada to 
take the oath of allegiance to the king of England, 
or to depart from the province. Several who were 
engaged in trade at once took the oath, and some 
went so far as to exult in the disaster that had 
attended the American troops. 

Tappan and Sewall refused to take the oath of 
allegiance, and were therefore obliged to quit the 
province rather summarily, and at a considerable 
sacrifice of property. The firm was dissolved, and 
the partners sought an asylum among their Mends 
in the States, Such goods as were not prohibited 
by the order of Sir George Provost they brought 
away with them. The bonds given to the United 
States in this case were afterwards remitted by an 
act of Congress. Subsequently they were able ? after 


LETTER TO HIS SISTER. 


57 


great exertions, to take away tlie residue of tlieir 
goods, and tlie bonds given for them were also re¬ 
mitted by the same authority. Still the losses were 
very severe, and the young merchants were greatly 
disappointed at having their business prostrated 
and themselves nearly ruined. 

Soon after, he wrote to his sister: 

“Albany, Sept. 6, 1812. 

“.... You want to know what my future plans 
are, and where I intend to fix my residence. I am 
about as much at a loss to give you a satisfactory 
reply,-as I am to answer the inquiry that is some¬ 
times put to me of, ‘ Where do you belong ?’ To this 
inquiry I generally say, ‘ I belong where my wife hap¬ 
pen to he at the time' My object in coming into the 
States was principally to look after the debts due to 
my firm. Had it not been for this, I should not have 
relinquished the joys of my own fireside to become a 
wanderer without a place I can call my home. As 
it is, I can form at present no settled plan. My 
debtors are very scattered, and they will take up 
much of my time. This town is most conveni¬ 

ent for me on account of my business, and I may 
conclude to remove here for a time. I am to leave 
again to-morrow for Vernon, where I go to receive 
some more of my goods on their way from Canada. 
Those I have taken to New York are chiefly sold, 
and at prices to save me from loss.” 

After leaving Montreal he returned to Canada 
for a short time, to try to collect some claims. The 
firm had dealt largely in blankets for the Indians, 
3* 



58 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


and money was owing to tliem in several places. 
.He used afterwards to langh heartily in relating 
that he was arrested about this time as a spy, by a 
British soldier, near the Canada line, whom he 
allowed to take him to the commandant without 
disclosing who he was. The commandant happened 
to be an old friend of his, and exclaimed on seeing 
him, “Mr. Tappan, how came you here?” The sol¬ 
dier walked away, quite crestfallen. 

His next letter states that he left his wife and 
infant at Albany, in good health, where he expects 
to reside with his family during the winter; and 
adds: 

“New Yoek, Oct. 30, 1812. 

“.Alas! when- shall I realize again those 

lieart-tlirilling delights which spring from the pos¬ 
session of a home! When I reflect on the happi¬ 
ness I possessed a few months since in the bosom 
of my own little family, where each morning and 
evening we united in praising the bounteous Giver 
of all our blessings, and felt our happiness increased 
by the pleasing exercise, the contrast my present 
situation presents spreads a melancholy over my feel¬ 
ings. But though this cruel war has made a sad 
breach in my enjoyments, it has left me much to 
be grateful for. It is not my disposition to ponder 
on misfortunes past, or waste my life in ungrateful 

anticipations of future ills. Could we view 

these little changes as they are designed by Prov¬ 
idence to weaken the ties that birld us to earth, they 
would have a most salutary effect on our hearts.” 




BUSINESS IN NEW YORK. 


59 


IV. 


Aftek a few months of restless inactivity, resi¬ 
ding at Northampton, Albany and Boston, endeav¬ 
oring to secure the property of the late firm in 
Canada, he proposed to his brother Lewis, who was 
then in the importing business in Boston, to furnish 
him with a moderate capital, with which he could 
commence at New York the importation of British 
drygoods. An agreement was made, and a store 
hired at No. 162 Pearl-street, the style of the firm 
being Arthur Tappan & Co. 

The business was commenced soon after the 
treaty of peace with England in 1815. It was con¬ 
ducted successfully the first year; but in 1816 the 
importations so greatly exceeded the demand, and 
the country was so flooded with goods imported by 
American merchants or consigned by English man¬ 
ufacturers, that freshly imported cotton goods from 
England were sold by the package at thirty or more 
per cent, less than cost and charges. It was neces¬ 
sary for Arthur Tappan & Co. to sell their goods at 
any rate, in order to make remittances to their bank¬ 
ers in London, who had come under acceptances 
for them to the manufacturers. Mr. Tappan, there¬ 
fore, finding it impossible to sell his goods at satis¬ 
factory prices, at private sale, and being anxious to 
fulfil his engagements abroad, disposed of a large 


60 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


part of them at auction, and remitted the proceeds 
to England. 

To facilitate the sale of the remaining goods, the 
packages were broken up, and the “jobbing” busi¬ 
ness was begun, that is, selling by the piece. To do 
this more advantageously, Mr. Tappan quit the 
chambers he had occupied, and took another store, 
No. 120 Pearl-street, Hanover-square, on a lease of 
ten years, at a rent that appears very inconsidera¬ 
ble at the present day, namely, one thousand dollars 
per annum, in a situation deemed so eligible at that 
time. In order to be nearer to his place of busi¬ 
ness, he moved his residence to Gold-street, near 
Maiden-lane, a street now occupied solely by stores. 

In August, 1817, he dissolved with his brother. 
The unfortunate result of the importing business 
had of course essentially lessened his means of pros¬ 
ecuting trade of any kind; yet, without loss of cred¬ 
it, he resolved on persevering, and if possible, build¬ 
ing up a profitable establishment on the ruins of the 
previous one. With admirable courage he battled 
against adversity, living economically, and working 
laboriously early and late. For a time he associa¬ 
ted with himself one or more clerks as partners; 
and on dissolving with them, he formed a partner¬ 
ship, in 1826, with Mr. Charles Keeler and Mr. Alfred 
Edwards, his nephew, the firm being as previously, 
Arthur Tappan & Co. 

After changing from the package to piece sales, 
he changed . also the kind of goods he dealt in. 
Manchester cotton goods were superseded by India 


THE CASH SYSTEM. 


61 


and French goods. They were purchased in part at 
Boston, on the credit of his elder brother John, who, 
with his accustomed generosity, loaned both his 
money and credit. The business proved so success¬ 
ful, that in the course of two or three years the 
money was all repaid. 

The business was a cash business, and the prices 
but a small percentage over the cost. As the busi¬ 
ness increased, .other merchants in the trade mar¬ 
velled how it could be carried on advantageously. 
The fact was, the goods were chiefly bought in 
packages on a credit of four or six months, and sold 
by the piece at about the bare cost, the profits being 
only equivalent to the interest on the amount of the 
sales until the expiration of the credit. The low 
prices attracted the attention of purchasers, and 
neighboring merchants predicted that this new kind 
of business would soon come to a termination. 

One of them assured Mr. Tappan’s brother that 
he'was attempting a hazardous, and as he believed, 
a ruinous business; that he was selling his goods at 
the cost, and that he would find that the expenses 
would “ eat him up.” This was intimated to him; 
but. the shrewd man smiled, kept his own counsel, 
and persevered. The business rapidly increased, 
and the small profit on the aggregate sales soon 
amounted to a large sum. The number of salesmen, 
few at first, were soon increased, and ere long the 
silk store of Arthur Tappan became known over the 
whole country, until the sales amounted to upwards 
of a million of dollars annually—an amount far 


(32 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


short of what is sold at the present day by numer¬ 
ous dealers, but considered at that period extremely 
large.* 

Prosperity did not seduce him into personal or 
^family extravagances, or induce him to hoard riches. 

On the contrary, it led him to reflect seriously upon 
__Jiis obligations as a steward of the Lord. His wife 
was already a member of an evangelical church, and 
her influence undoubtedly had a salutary effect on 
a husband who always manifested for her a warm 
attachment. They attended the Presbyterian church 
in Murray-street, of which Rev. John M. Mason, 
D. D., was the minister. He was at the time a man 
of commanding talents, unrivalled eloquence, and 
extensive influence. 

When about thirty years of age, Mr. Tappan 
united with Dr. Mason’s church. He had never 
forgotten the instructions of pious parents while 
under their roof, nor the faithful counsel they had 
given him in their letters in subsequent years. He 
had been a child of prayer, and the strong faith 
evinced by his parents, especially by his mother, 

* R would amuse the millionaires in trade, at the present time, 
to know what notions respecting trade prevailed half a century 

ago. A neighbor, Mr. A-, is said to have stepped into the store 

of the late Stephen Whitney, when the following dialogue took 

place : Mr. A-: “ What amount of goods do you think Arthur 

Tappan sold last year?” Mr. W-: “ I don’t know ; but they 

do a large business, and I should not be surprised to learn that 
their sales amounted to four or five hundred thousand dollars.” 

Mr. A-: “You are right; their sales last yeer, it is said, were 

half a million of dollars.” Mr. W-replied: “Only think of 

that!” 


HIS BENEVOLENCE. 


63 


made liis conversion not an unexpected, although it 
was a joyful event to her and his other Christian 
friends. The mother’s fervent prayers were answered. 
What encouragement must she have derived from 
the fulfilment of the divine promise, to pray for the 
conversion of other children and grandchildren! 
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man 
availeth much.” 

About this time he had the pleasure of welcom¬ 
ing to the city his youngest sister, with whom he 
had corresponded at an earlier period, and for whom 
he had much affection. She was married in 1817 to 
Alexander Phcenix of New York. The brother and 
sister both anticipated much happiness as residents 
of the same city, and during the brief period it 
pleased God to spare her valuable life, the anticipa¬ 
tion was fully realized. Her sudden death in 1819, 
however, in her twenty-ninth year, blighted these 
fond hopes. He found consolation in this bereave¬ 
ment where alone it can be found, in the character 
and service of an Almighty helper and supporter. 

Dr. Mason took notice of his activity and conse¬ 
cration of property at an early date. On looking at 
a subscription paper, soon after Mr. Tappan had 
united with his church, as his son Rev. Erskine 
Mason afterwards related, he said: “ That subscript¬ 
ion of Arthur Tappan I regard as the best subscrip¬ 
tion on the paper, for it carries the heart with it, 
and is a large sum in proportion to his ability.” 
After Dr. Mason’s relinquishment of the pastoral 
office, he was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Snodgrass, 


64 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


upon whose ministry Mr. ancUMrs. Tappan attended. 
As his success in business increased, so did his giv¬ 
ing to benevolent objects. It was his prayerful 
inquiry: “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” 
He resolved on consecrating a large portion of his 
gains to the cause of the Redeemer, ,by engaging, 
heart and purse, in the benevolent operations of the 
day. 

It was a marvel to many persons that a man wTio 
appeared to be so enterprising in business, and so 
bent on making money, should be so distinguished 
for his benevolence; and one intimated that philan¬ 
thropic deeds and money-making were at war with 
each other. “ If a man of business is also a philan¬ 
thropist,” said this person, “he is in danger, while 
he is laying up treasure in heaven, of losing it on 
earth.” This was quite plausible; and yet Mr. 
Tappan endeavored to unite the seemingly opposite 
traits of being benevolent and yet energetic in 
business. 

He perceived the reason why there are no more 
persons of enlarged philanthropy among men of 
business, and why those who are benevolently dis¬ 
posed frequently act by fits and starts. He saw the 
difficulties and temptations that influence.men of this 
class, and that too often lead them to vacillate, and 
sometimes dissemble or betray a righteous cause. 
He was aware also that some merchants who pro¬ 
fessed anti-slavery sentiments made cowardly com¬ 
pliances in their intercourse with slaveholding cus¬ 
tomers; but he believed that the principal part of 


SOUTHERN PATRONAGE. 


65 


those who avowed such convictions were made of 
“sterner stuff,” and maintained their principles even 
if adherence to them lessened their gains. He hon¬ 
ored such. 

In his own case, his open avowal of anti-slavery 
sentiments, and his steadfast maintenance of them, 
saved him from losses he might, by a contrary 
course, have incurred. There were rivals in his line 
of business, who urged their claims upon Southern 
patronage by alleging that they were free from the 
taint of abolitionism. Some of this class became 
engulfed in embarrassment and even ruin on account 
of attracting to their stores unprincipled Southern 
traders. They thus found, to their disappointment 
and dismay, that there is “no friendship in trade.” 
One or more of these firms that undertook to build 
up their fortunes on the predicted ruins of Arthur 
Tappan’s business, suffered so much and so speed¬ 
ily by the patronage of the “ Southrons,” that they 
were the subjects of derision even of men who “sold 
their principles with their goods.” 

An old friend of his, now living, says: “ I was 
first associated with Arthur Tappan in 1820, in aid¬ 
ing the ‘American Sunday-school Union’ in estab¬ 
lishing schools in the valley of the Mississippi. At 
a public meeting in Masonic Hall, he gave five thou^ 
sand dollars to the object.” About the same time, 
at the suggestion of Rev. Jonas King, late mission¬ 
ary to Greece, he forwarded money for the estab¬ 
lishment of a scholarship in the “Theological Semi¬ 
nary at Andover,” as appears by the following: 


66 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


UNION; N. J., Bellville P. 0., Sept. 15,1855.. 

Mr. J. L. Taylor : 

Dear Sib : I have yours of the 13th inst., and am happy 
to learn the scholarship established in the Andover Theologi¬ 
cal Seminary by me, through the intervention of my friend 
Jonas King, has been instrumental of good. It was given 
for the purpose of being applied in aid of needy and deser¬ 
ving young men seeking the gospel ministry ; and my wish 
has been, and still’ is, that the income arising from the gift 
may continue to be so applied, in the absence of any nomina¬ 
tion by me, by the trustees to one or more such students in 
your seminary as they shall designate. 

I am very respectfully your obedient servant, 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

FOR THE NEW YORK OBSERVER. 

NOTE FROM DR. JONAS KING. 

In your paper I noticed an article with regard to the late 
Arthur Tappan, which reminded me of an act of benevo¬ 
lence performed by him about forty-five years ago, and known 
perhaps only by me, or some one who may have examined 
the books of the Treasurer of the Theological Seminary at 
Andover. 

I took tea with him one evening at the time above men¬ 
tioned, and in conversation I spoke of the establishment of _a 
scholarship at Andover, which I considered of some impor¬ 
tance. 

Soon after this I left for Andover, where I was going to 
spend a year as resident licentiate, and in a few days I re¬ 
ceived from Mr. Tappan a letter enclosing a check or order 
from him for the payment of sixteen hundred dollars ($1,600) 
for the establishment of a scholarship as above mentioned. 
This I handed over to Mr. Farrar, the then treasurer of the 
seminary. 

I suppose, of course, the money was applied to the object 
for which it was solicited by me and given by Mr. Tappan. 

Yours truly, JONAS KING. 

He became an efficient member of the “Ameri¬ 
can Bible Society,” which had been formed in 1816; 


RESIDENCES IN NEW YORK. 


67 


subsequently of the “American Tract Society;” and 
in these and various other ways he aimed to be 
faithful, as a good steward of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
and to promote the cause of evangelical religion to 
the extent of his ability. The claims of foreign and 
domestic missions, of education, and of the poor, 
■were near his heart, and he contributed to them, 
in labor and money, with cheerfulness and liber¬ 
ality. 

From Gold-street he moved his residence to 
Wliitehall-street. Here he lived very pleasantly 
three or four years, when he moved to No. 19 Broad¬ 
way. After residing here about an equal time, he 
purchased the house No. 25 Beach-street, opposite 
St. John’s Park, and took up his abode there. At 
the opposite side of the park, corner of Varick and 
Laight streets, was a Presbyterian church, of which 
Bev. Samuel H. Cox was pastor; and to this church 
Mr. and Mrs. Tappan transferred their membership. 
He had for a summer residence a hired house at 
Bloomingdale, on the bank of the North river, six 
miles from the City Hall, where his friend Pelatiah 
Perit afterwards resided. At another season, he 
occupied, during the summer months, a house on 
Love-lane, where his former pastor, Dr. Mason, had 
previously lived. This location was near the Bloom- 
ingdale-road, now an extension of Broadway. It 
was then a rural situation, and considered quite out 
in the country. During their residence on Love- 
lane, they attended the Presbyterian church on 
Bleecker-street, near Broadway; and they ever after 


68 


ARTHURTAPPAN. 


felt a warm friendship for the pastor, Rev. Matthias 
Braen.* 

Writing to his eldest daughter, 30th August, 
1826, after speaking of his intention to visit the 
Catskill mountains with his wife, he says: 

“.... I enclose a short letter received from your 
grandfather since you left us. You will see that 
your cousin Ann has been made the instrument in 
the hands of God of awakening great attention to 
religion at the place where Mr. Wilder now resides.t 
This will be interesting news for you to communi¬ 
cate to Mrs. Sexton, Mr. Wilders sister. Your 
grandfather feels exceedingly anxious for his grand¬ 
children, that the last prayers of your departed 
grandmother may be answered. These prayers, you 
know, were for the salvation of their precious souls. 
Since your grandmother’s death, several of your 
cousins have experienced that change of heart which 

* Mr. Bruen had a brilliant career as a scholar, philanthropist, 
and minister of the gospel, but was cut down by a short and dis¬ 
tressing illness, September 6, 1829, aged 36 years. He studied 
with Dr. Mason, was ordained in London, passed six months in 
Paris, and was employed as a missionary in the city of New York. 
During his labors he collected the Bleecker-street congregation. 
The American Home Missionary Society, the Bible, the Sunday- 
school, the Tract, the Foreign Mission Societies engaged his 
efforts. He was the corresponding secretary of the General Union 
for Promoting the Observance of the Christian Sabbath, and died 
greatly beloved. 

f The cousin alluded to was Ann Tappan, afterwards Mrs. 
Brewster, now deceased, the daughter of Arthur’s brother William 
She was but fifteen years of age when, in Mr. Wilder’s family at 
Ware, Mass., she exerted a happy influence among the young 
people of the village, during a revival, in leading them to the Sav¬ 
iour. 


RESIDENCE IN NEW HAVEN. 69 

we are told in tlie word of God is absolutely neces¬ 
sary to salvation.* 

“ My beloved daughter, your parents feel a ten¬ 
der solicitude for your soul, and those of our other 
dear children. It depends now on yourself whether 
you will share in the blessing that your grandmoth¬ 
er’s last prayers were put up for, and which God 
has so evidently shown he is ready to bestow. And 
will you not accept the blessing? Shall God wait 
to be gracious, and will you reject his offers of 
mercy ? If you are willing, go to your room and 
tell God so, and plead with him that he will make 
you still more willing. Plead earnestly, and depend 
on it you will not be sent away empty. 

“ I am your affectionate father, 

“A. TAPPAN.” 

During the most prosperous years of Mr. Tap- 
pan’s life, he bought what he considered a more 
permanent residence for his family. In 1828, he 
purchased of Professor S. F. B. Morse, of telegraphic 
celebrity, the house in New Haven, in Temple-street, 
formerly occupied by the professor’s father, Rev. Dr. 
Jedediah Morse. There he had a house and garden 
that greatly pleased him, and his family enjoyed 
advantages they had not hitherto possessed. He 
could visit them once a week at least, after the toil 
of a week’s labor in New York, and find some res¬ 
pite from the turmoil of the mercantile metropolis. 

* It is a remarkable fact, that within a year or two after the 
death of Mrs. Sarah Tappan, upwards of twenty of her grand¬ 
children were hopefully converted. Many of her grandchildren 
had been converted previously. 


70 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


V. 

Mr. Tappan imputed his success in trade to what 
was then somewhat of a novelty. “ The secret of 
our success was this,” he said. “I had but one 
price, and sold for cash or short credit.” But it 
was also owing to another cause, which his modesty 
prevented him from stating. This was his RARE 
integrity. His customers had the fullest confidence 
that when they made purchases at his store, they 
would not be cheated by false weights, or measures, 
or fugitive colors. Every thing was what it was 
represented to be. Even those purchasers who dis¬ 
liked his opinions, and also those who professed to 
hate him and his philanthropic and religious charac¬ 
ter, highly prized the principles on which he con¬ 
ducted business, especially when they were the par¬ 
ties benefited. Even slaveholding merchants, who 
were in the constant practice of robbing their poor 
victims, were more than satisfied with the treatment 
they received at his hands.* 

The confidence felt was so great, that merchants 

* It was thought at that day, but not now, that it was a heavy 
and unjustifiable charge to bring against a slaveholder, that he 
robbed his “servants;” but if they had felt the force of what is 
said by the apostle James, they might have acknowledged its 
truthfulness : “Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped 
down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: 
and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears 
of the Lord of Sabaoth.” Jas. 5 ; 4. 


SECRET OF SUCCESS. 


71 


who visited the city to make their purchases, would 
frequently lay aside the goods they wanted, imme¬ 
diately on arriving in ike- city, with full confidence 
that if any article fell in price in the market, before 
they made up their assortment, a reduction v . ’ 1 
be made with or without their asking it. Merchants 
from distant places, who could not conveniently 
come to the city, some of them being unacquainted 
personally with Mr. Tappan, would send their orders 
for the goods they wanted—often considerable quan¬ 
tities—with entire confidence that they would be 
selected with care, and put at the lowest market 
price, the same as if they had been on the spot. 
This principle of trade may be in practice now, and 
probably is in some cases, but it was considered 
rare at the time, and Mr. Tappan enjoyed a large 
monopoly of it. The surprise is that it is not uni¬ 
versal, as confidence is the hfe of trade, often sup¬ 
plying the place of a capital, and enabling a mer¬ 
chant to transact business with the best portion of 
dealers. 

It is an old saying, “Honesty is the best policy.” 
John Howe, a highly respected citizen of Boston, 
who amassed a fortune in the lumber business, used 
to say, “If there were no principle in the case, I 
would be honest from policy; it is the surest way to 
make money.”* 

The “ one price” rule occasioned one day no lit¬ 
tle merriment in the store. The wife of an American 
gentleman, who had long resided in London, and 

* Grandfather of Colonel Frank E. Howe of New York. 


72 


AETHUE TAPPAN. 


who was herself an American woman, being in 
New York, thought it a good opportunity to sup¬ 
ply herself with India/ora-pes, then much in vogue. 
After inquiring for the best place to make her 
,r- chases she drove to the store of Arthur Tap- 
* pan & Co., accompanied by her “ secretary.” She 
had not been there long before one of the clerks 
came in haste to the desk of one of the partners, 
and said, “Will you come, sir, and see a lady who 
insists upon having a reduction in the price of the 
goods; she will take no denial; is making much dis¬ 
turbance, and insists upon seeing one of the part¬ 
ners.” On his approaching, she said, in an excited 
manner, “ This clerk refuses to sell me these crapes 
at the price I offer for them, and I have sent for you 
to direct liim.” 

The rule of the store was explained to her, as the 
clerk had previously attempted, and the reason of 
its adoption was given; but it was all to no pur¬ 
pose; she raised her voice, appeared very angry, 
and said: “ I came to this shop to lay out consider¬ 
able money; I want some pieces of these goods for 

myself, and some for my friends, Lady A-, the 

Duchess B-, Lady C-, etc.; your clerk will 

not oblige me, talks about a rule; I never heard of 
such a rule in any London shop; there, they let me 
have goods at my own price. If I can’t buy at 
prices I think reasonable, I shall not come here to 
purchase any more.” Finding that neither the airs 
she put on, nor her threats had succeeded, she quit 
the premises, to the no small amusement of many 


THE CASH SYSTEM. 73 

of tlie clerks and customers, who witnessed the 
scene. 

. Mr. Tappan felt in after-life, the injury that had 
resulted from his not pursuing the system he adopt¬ 
ed when he commenced the jobbing business in 
Pearl-street, of selling only for cash, or short notes, 
as they were called, payable, w^th interest, at some 
bank. The general practice of merchants, at that 
day, the earnest solicitations of. his customers, the 
temptations to sell at greater profits, and the ap¬ 
parent success of the credit system, influenced him 
to depart, by degrees, from the rule he had estab¬ 
lished, until his principal sales were made on credit. 
He conducted this credit business also disadvanta- 
geously, compared with neighbors in the same kind 
of business, for as he had but one price, and they 
generally had prices suited to the length of the 
credit given, he could not afford to take the risks of 
prolonged credits, as others did. 

Had he rigidly adhered to the wise rule adopted 
at an early period, he would have saved himself 
great anxiety and perplexity, probably acquired in 
the end more property, and been able thus to extend 
the sphere of his usefulness by still more liberal 
benefactions. He saw this, when it was too late, and 
regretted it, and hoped others might profit by pur¬ 
suing a different course.* 

In the year 1821 Mr. Tappan made himself an 
honorary director of the “New York Evangelical 
Missionary Society.” He also constituted himself a 
e See Appendix 2, for facts in relation to the credit system. 

4 


74 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


member for life of the “Young Men’s Missionary 
Society of New York” in the same year; and in 
1824 a member of the “ United Domestic Missiona- 
ary Society.” In 1826 he made himself a director 
for life of the “American Home Missionary Society,” 
at its organization. He was also the auditor of the 
Society from its beginning till 1839, thirteen years. 

In the year 1824 he exerted himself on behalf of 
the tract cause, giving his time and money freely. 
In February, 1825, he was surprised by a call at his 
store before sunrise. It was by Bev. William A. 
Hallock from the New England Tract Society, pro¬ 
posing to form a National Tract Society in New 
York. Meetings for prayer and consultation were 
held. He gave $5,000 for that object, which was soon 
increased to $20,000. The site of the present Tract 
House, 150 Nassau-street, was bought, the corner¬ 
stone laid May 11th, officers were chosen, he was 
elected Chairman of the Finance Committee, and 
devoted himself with undying ardor and success to 
its best interests, as will further appear in subsequent 
pages. 

It has been already stated that after the forma¬ 
tion of the “American Bible Society” he took a deep 
interest in its success. Besides subscribing liberally 
to its funds, he made himself and several of his 
friends life directors, circulated many copies of the 
Scriptures, and gave other substantial proofs of his 
attachment to the cause. 

In 1825, Mr. Tappan was a member of a com¬ 
mittee of the managers “to devise and take rneas- 


THE BIBLE SOCIETY. 


75 


ures to raise by subscription the requisite sum to 
pay off the debt remaining due on the building of 
the American Bible Society.” It seems he declined 
the election as a manager in that year on account 
of other engagements, but being relieved, in some 
measure, of the pressure of business, he was reelect¬ 
ed in 1828, and accepted the trust. By the record 
of the society it appears that on the 23d April, 1829, 
a favorite plan of his was brought before the man¬ 
agers for supplying every family in the country with 
a copy of the Bible, he having pledged himself that, 
provided the board of managers should adopt a 
resolution to recommend to the society at its then 
approaching anniversary, “ to supply every family in 
the United States with a Bible, that may be willing 
to buy or accept one,” and the said resolution should 
be adopted by the society, he would contribute 
towards its accomplishment, the sum of $5,000. 

His proposition appears to have been accepted, 
for at the annual meeting of the American Bible 
Society, in the following month, on motion of the 
Bev. Dr. Milnor, seconded by Dr. Boyd, the follow¬ 
ing resolution was adopted: 

Resolved, This society, with a reliance on Divine aid, will 
endeavor to supply all the destitute families in the United 
States with the Holy Scriptures, that may be willing to pur¬ 
chase or receive them, within the space of two years, provided 
sufficient means be furnished by auxiliaries and benevolent 
individuals in season to enable the board of managers to cany 
this resolution into effect. 

It does not appear that he kept any list of his 
numerous gifts to benevolent objects. Neither was 


76 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


he accustomed to talk about them. If he had seen 
them paraded in newspapers it would have disturbed 
him. He delighted in giving to good objects with¬ 
out solicitation, and felt a satisfaction in often anti¬ 
cipating the calls of the “ Lord’s collectors.” 

Yet he did not give to every object patronized 
by good men. The calls of this sort for his charita¬ 
ble consideration were very numerous; these visits 
sometimes annoying him by their length and unsea- 
sonableness. 

Occasionally the manoeuvres of persons soliciting 
his aid called forth his reproofs, as in the case of a 
distinguished lawyer, who called upon him at his 
store to solicit a contribution set on foot by a broth¬ 
er, a celebrated doctor of divinity. Mr. Tappan did 
not seem disposed to comply with the request. The 
applicant became importunate, and said: “ I want 
your name more than your money; be so kind as to 
head the subscription, and you will not be called 
upon for the money.” Instead of being flattered by 
such a request, lie made the proposer of it feel 
abashed for having intimated to him such a propo¬ 
sal. His manner, if not his words, said: “Is thy 
servant a dog, that he should do this thing?” 

Among his benefactions were the following: 
1. To the Auburn Theological Seminary, New 
York, as appears by the farewell address to the 
graduating class of 1865, by Professor Hopkins, who 
stated that “ Mr. Tappan was the early friend of the 
seminary, donating it the sum of $15,000,” which 
“ at once set its wheels fully in motion, by enabling 


HIS BENEFACTIONS. 77 

tlie trustees to secure the valuable services of its 
first professor in theology, the late Dr. Kichards.” 

2. To the Milnor Professorship in Kenyon Col¬ 
lege, Gambier, Ohio. Prom statements made inci¬ 
dentally by Bishop Chase, at different times, it ap¬ 
pears that Arthur Tappan of New York, originated 
the movement by offering $1,000, provided $10,000 
should be subscribed. Bishop Chase contributed 
$1,000, but who made up the balance cannot now be 
ascertained. 

3. The Yale College Fund. Dr. Bacon, in his 
sermon on the death of Arthur Tappan, says: “And 
when it appeared that the young men, aided by that 
society [American Education Society] were hindered 
from coming to Yale College, because there was at 
that time no funds, as at other colleges, for the pay¬ 
ment of their tuition-bills, he assumed, in 1828, the 
responsibility of paying for the tuition of all bene¬ 
ficiaries here, till the number should be more than a 
hundred.” Allusion is made to this, in an article 
in the “ New York Observer,” of August 16,1828, as 
follows: 

EXTRAORDINARY MUNIFICENCE. 

It is understood that a benevolent individual has offer¬ 
ed to pay the tuition, at Yale College, of one hundred indi¬ 
gent pious students, who are looking forward to the gospel 
ministry. The price of tuition being $33 a year, the offer is 
equivalent to $3,300 per annum, for four years. In conse¬ 
quence the directors of the Connecticut Branch of the Amer¬ 
ican Education Society issued a circular. 

The following note from the president of the col¬ 
lege relates to the same subject: 


78 


AETHUE TAPPAN. 


Yale College, August 28,1833. 

Dear Sir : I take particular satisfaction in communica¬ 
ting the enclosed vote of our corporation, and in expressing 
my personal acknowledgments for the deep interest which 
you have in the most efficient manner manifested in the pro¬ 
motion of education upon Christian principles, and the im¬ 
portant aid which you have given in time of difficulty and 
danger, to sustain the cause of piety and industry and order 
in the college. 

May the blessing of heaven ever rest upon you, and on 
your unwearied efforts to advance the interests of truth and 
righteousness. With affectionate and high regard, your obe¬ 
dient servant, JEREMIAH DAY. 

Arthur Tappan, Esq. 

The following was the vote alluded to in the 
above note: 

At a meeting of the president and fellows of Yale Col¬ 
lege, September 20, 1832 : 

Voted, That the thanks of this board be presented by the 
president to Arthur Tappan, for the generous provision which 
he has made for paying the tuition of more than twenty 
students in the present and preceding graduating classes, 
during the whole of their collegiate course, amounting in the 
whole to four thousand and forty-eight dollars. 

A true copy of record taken by JEREMIAH DAY. 

4. American Education Society. He took very 
great interest in Eev. Mr. Cornelius’ efforts on behalf 
of this society, while he was secretary. He often con¬ 
ferred with him at his house, and had much corre¬ 
spondence with him. From letters to this devoted 
servant of Christ, written between 1827 and 1830, 
taken from the files of that society, and kindly fur¬ 
nished by its present secretary, Eev. Increase S. 
Tarbox, the following extracts are made: 

“I have consulted Dr. Spring regarding the indi- 


LETTERS TO BEY. E. CORNELIUS. 79 

vi duals named by you as speakers at the anniversary 
of the Education Society. ... I hope the sum voted 
by the Presbyterian Society last evening, will en¬ 
courage you a little. .... The Young Men’s Society 
Have their anniversary to night, and hope to get 

some money.If, with all your efforts at the 

east, to provide for the next quarterly payments, 
you are likely to fail, I hope you will let us know of 
it through the ‘Recorder,’ and I will try to get you 
something more from our society here. If you do 
not like to publish your necessities to the world, 
please let me know privately. You know the great 
interest I take in your labors. May God spare your 
health and prosper your efforts. 

“Yours, very respectfully, and affectionately, 
“ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

“December 11, 1827.” 

On the fifth of March, 1828, he writes: “ I 
perceive by your favor of the 24th ult., that God is 
trying your faith by obliging you to remain compar¬ 
atively inactive. I sincerely regret the cause of this 
suspension of your active efforts, and hope your 
dear wife will soon be in the enjoyment of perfect 
health. Perhaps you will not regret having been 
prevented coming here at this moment, when you 
learn that money is so exceedingly scarce, and so 
much distresses consequently felt,” etc. 

On the 13th of March he refers to his former let¬ 
ter and writes more encouragingly: “.It is 

more painful to me than I have words to express to 
contemplate any suspension in this and similar 





80 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


efforts when so much is to be done. I am happy to 
say, that there are indications that the pressure for 
money is subsiding. It is my present opinion that 
the first of April will be the most favorable moment 
for you to be here, and I would recommend that yoh 
make arrangements with that view. Still, I am 
sensible that you will not labor to so great advan¬ 
tage as you might at some other period. Every one 
will be influenced more or less in their feelings by 
the recent smart, which a scarcity of money has 
made all feel, and which will, I fear, have the effect 
to make people less liberal. The hearts of men are 
in the hands of Him who has promised to give the 
heathen to our Saviour for an inheritance; and 
abundant encouragement has been afforded the past 
year for us to believe that God is waiting to second 
and gloriously prosper every effort of his children 
for the advancement of the Redeemer’s kingdom 
on the earth.” 

On the 28tli of March he writes approvingly of 
the resolutions to be offered at the meeting in New 
York, that Mr. Cornelius had forwarded for his ex¬ 
amination, and that of another friend. He also 
alluded to different gentlemen who had been pro¬ 
posed as speakers; to suitable places where the 
meeting might be held, and adds : 

“The Executive Committee of th$ Presbyterian 
Education Society is called together .... We have 
no money in the treasury, and I see no way but 
borrowing to provide a considerable sum due in 
April to the beneficiaries under our care, I think 


LETTERS TO REV. E. CORNELLS. 81 


we shall rather resort to borrowing than appeal to 
the public just on the eve (as we hope) of your com¬ 
ing here to present the subject, as any call, however 
insignificant, would be seized by some as an excuse, 
when applied to by you. . . . 

“I learn with much concern from your letters, 
that Mrs. Cornelius is still feeble. If you will bring 
her with you, and leave her with us while you go 
South and West, Mrs. Tappan and myself will be 
happy to entertain her, and will do all we can to 
make her comfortable. What say you to this? Mrs. 
Tappan joins me in this invitation, and you know 
we never make empty professions. Cannot you 
dispose of your children in such a way that Mrs. 
Cornelius would be at ease about them? ... I hope 
you intend to make an effort in this city this spring. 
Money is still scarce, though I think getting less 
so. It will be a bad year for merchants generally. 
This should not slacken, but induce greater efforts. 
May I suggest an affectionate remembrance to your 
dear wife ? In Christian bonds, yours respectfully.” 

He writes again, October 24th, 1829: “Our 
mutual and truly valuable friend, Rev. Mr. Patton, 
wrote you yesterday, giving you advice of some in¬ 
teresting events that have transpired here. A great 
effort is evidently making to build up the General 
Assembly Education Board , and there is no little 
danger in my opinion, of the whole Presbyterian 
church deserting your society. I think you had 
better visit us soon, meet our board, and by arran¬ 
ging for some alterations in the constitution of your 
4* 


82 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


society, which appear to be advisable, prevent the 
disaffection among our friends, which we are threat¬ 
ened with.” 

Being at Northampton, Mass., on a visit to his 
aged father, he writes, January 20th, 1830, to Mr. 
Cornelius, as follows: “. . . . I write now to recom¬ 
mend to your attention, and through you to your 
board, Mr. Bobert O. Dwight, now in this town, as 
a suitable person to fill the office of treasurer. I 
have entire confidence in his integrity, and believe 
him fully competent to the business. If the board 
shall think fit to appoint him, and he can be per¬ 
suaded to accept, I will be his bondsman, provided it 
is made the duty of the treasurer to deposit in bank 
the money of the society, in the name of the society. 
I suppose the bondsman would then only take the 
risk of the integrity of the treasurer; and it is with 
this view, and in the hope of doing a service to the 
society, that I offer to be the bondsman.” 

Being at home in New York, he addressed the 
following letter to Mr. Cornelius, which is inserted 
at length: 

To Mr. Cornelius. New York, April 12,1830. 

Rev. and Dear Sir : I have your much esteemed letter 
by Rev. Mr. Peters, and have conferred with our brother 
Patton on its contents. He is possessed of my views, and I 
believe we are of one mind. I feel the importance of the 
deliberations of your board at this eventful crisis, and would, 
if I possibly could, accompany our delegation. I hope that 
my not doing so will not convey the impression that I do not 
attach vast importance to your removal to this city. You 
know what has been said by a stanch friend to voluntary 
associations about a congregational “probe.” If you come 


LETTERS TO REV. E. CORNELIUS. 83 


here, (let me repeat it,) it must be in such a manner as to take 
away all suspicion that you are not a thorough-going Presby¬ 
terian. By enlarging the branch of the Presbyterian Socie¬ 
ty, the appearance of “letting down ” may be avoided, at the 
same time the duties of the secretary of the branch will be 
increased, and those of your successor at Boston lessened. I 
do not like the plan you suggest of forming a new society. 
Any important alterations in our organization will be likely to 
strengthen and extend the impression among those who wish 
us ill, that our past plans have not been founded in wisdom. 
They would take fresh courage from what would be construed 
into a defeat on our part. As to permanent funds, we have 
none now, and we may avoid having any in future, if it is 
thought best. 

I feel that it is asking much of our eastern brethen to 
propose to them to give you up, but they are accustomed to 
taking enlarged views of the interests of Zion, and will ex¬ 
cuse us for calculating much on their disinterestedness. I 
have all the feelings of an eastern man, and but little of the 
Presbyterian, except the name. If I know my own heart, I 
have no sectarian or sectional feelings. I wish only for that 
which shall result in the greatest good. May God direct 
your deliberations, and then I know all will be for the best, 
whether the result is for you to come here or not. If Provi¬ 
dence should so order it as to fix your residence here, you 
will be welcomed by many, but by none with more sincerity 
than by Mrs. Tappan and myself. 

He wrote to the same, April 29, 1830, of his 
application to the trustees of the Brick church, in 
which to hold the expected meeting and adds: “Mrs. 
Tappan and myself will expect you to come to our 
house, and we shall be disappointed if you do not. 
If Dr. Beecher comes with you, please say to him, 
we shall be happy to accommodate him also. Dr. 
Edwards is with us, so that we can promise you 
some good company.” 


84 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


Both Mr. and Mrs. Tappan, it seems, were not 
negligent of the apostolic injunctions, “use hospi¬ 
tality,” and “be not forgetful to entertain stran¬ 
gers.” 

On the 19th and 27th of October, 1830, he writes 
to Dr. Cornelius, (for it seems that some college had 
affixed D. D. to his honored name,) of his meeting 
with the executive committee, the appointment of 
agents, and sundry other matters of the new society, 

and concludes as follows: “.I regret that your 

society is embarrassed in its pecuniary concerns. If 
I had any voice in your committee, I would urge an 
entire liquidation of all your permanent funds— 
scholarship and all. Let all be expended, and by 
the time this is done, we may hope to see the self- 
educating system so far perfected as to make very 
little aid necessary for the young men. The con¬ 
sent of those who have given the money must of 
course be obtained, but sooner than have the mill¬ 
stone of permanent funds around the neck of the 
society, I would give back the money, if consent 
cannot be had to use it.” 

Dr. Cornelius had a ready wit, that was a valua¬ 
ble aid in his arduous labors, of which the following 
is a specimen: On a certain occasion, he entered 
Mr. Tappan’s store and asked to see him. As he 
came in, another partner, who was not then per¬ 
sonally acquainted with him, accosted him as a pur¬ 
chaser of goods, informing him that' they had just 
received a large assortment of a particular article 
that he should be happy to show to him, etc. “ Will 



HIS HABITS IN THE STOKE. 


85 


you just examine the goods, sir?” “Why no, not 
now,” replied Mr. Cornelius, “I have come for the 
proceeds.”* 

Mr. Tappan’s letters to Dr. Cornelius are similar 
to those he was accustomed to write to the actua¬ 
ries of different benevolent societies from his little 
recess near the centre of his store, with his bank 
books, bills of purchases, and papers of various kinds 
lying about his desk. While customers doubtless 
imagined that the silent person, standing or sitting 
there, was wholly engrossed with his financial con¬ 
cerns, his purchases and payments and the oversight 
of his large business, the prominent thoughts in his 
mind were the sayings of his Master: “ The field is 
the world ”—“ Occupy till I come.” 

He managed in the midst of business, to have 
considerable leisure, and it was his habit to have 
no spare chair to offer to callers. When a friend or 
stranger honored him with a call, his practice was 
to rise and receive him with much economy of 
speech, and as no seat was at hand, the person, 
whoever he was, soon took his departure from the 
taciturn and busy merchant. There were excep¬ 
tions to this rule, however, and when one or more 
venerable persons waited upon him, with affairs 
they deemed very important, he would, if not par- 

« Key. Dr. Elias Cornelius died at Dr. Hawes’, in Hartford, 
Conn., on Sabbath morning, February 12, 1832, of brain fever, 
“brought on probably by excessive care, toil, and labor.” His 
age was only 37. He was indeed a burning and shining light. 
The memoir of Dr. Cornelius, by Kev. B. B. Edwards, was pub¬ 
lished in 1833. 


86 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


ticularly engaged, have chairs brought for them, 
and listen to their story. 

Neither did he spend much time in eating and 
drinking. A cracker and tumbler of water sufficed 
for a luncheon. He ate to live, but did not live to 
eat, being always very abstemious, as well from 
principle as from regard to his invariable head¬ 
ache. 

He took a deep interest in the settlement of 
Rev. Joseph S. Christmas, over the Bowery Presby¬ 
terian church, in the city of New York, and cherish¬ 
ed pleasing anticipations of the usefulness of this 
youthful and popular preacher. Mr. Christmas had 
been pastor of the American Presbyterian church in 
Montreal, and removed to New York in expectation 
that a change of climate would be beneficial to his 
health. His new charge, however, soon experienced 
a sad disappointment, as, after a ministry of only a 
few months, he died at the age of 27, having been 
seriously ill only three or four days.* 

Like the youthful and celebrated Rev. Thomas 

° Mr. Christmas, in early life, had a passion for painting, to 
•which art he intended to devote his life ; but, becoming religious, 
he resolved to be occupied in more important and useful toils. 
His father was very solicitous that he should be a physician, and 
made all the arrangements for his entering upon the study of 
physic. The son was constrained by a sense of religious duty to 
• disappoint the paternal hopes. He studied theology at Princeton, 
and in 1824 went to Canada, where he was ordained to the gospel 
ministry. Here he labored upwards of three years, when ill 
health compelled him to ask a dismission. Soon after, he lost both 
of his children, and, in a little time, his wife. “Oh, beware of 
the world!” was her counsel. “How deeply am I convinced that 
the worldly intercourse of professing Christians is utterly wrong! 


BEY. JOSEPH S. CHEISTMAS. 


87 


Spencer, of Liverpool, England, whose ministration 
attracted throngs of delighted hearers, when Mr. 
Tappan was in that town in 1810 and 1811, and 
whose sudden death soon after spread a gloom over 
the country, Mr. Christmas was the ornament and 
hope of the religious community. His premature 
death was a severe affliction to Mr. Tappan, and to 
many other attached friends and co-laborers, who 
felt the truth of the saying of Job: “ Thou destroyest 
the hope of man.” 

Mr. Tappan removed his church connection to 
the Bowery church on the principle of colonization, 
for of such colonization he was a sincere admirer; 
and he devoted to the cause of Christ in this desti¬ 
tute portion of the city his whole power. 

A member of the church, in speaking of him, 
says: “ My husband and myself both remember him 
when we were associated in the Bowery church; as 
£ full of faith and good works,’ so that it could be 
said of him that in imitation of our divine Master 
and Lord, £ he went about doing good.’ A few words 
from him, were more than volumes from some men, 
for, I presume, he never said anything that he did 
not mean.” 

Alter the death of Mr. Christmas, the congrega¬ 
tion was somewhat divided in their preferences with 
regard to a successor. Unsuccessful efforts w r ere 
made to secure the services of a suitable person, and 

It cuts out the very heart of piety. Seek not the things which are 
your own, but things which are Jesus Christ’s.” This bereave¬ 
ment was perhaps the means of preparing him for heavenly bliss. 
See Allen’s Biographical Dictionary. 


88 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


at length a compromise resulted in the choice oi 
Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, of Hadley, Mass. He ac¬ 
cepted the call, and performed the duties of pastor 
several years. He was a strong-minded man, and 
of a positive character, but he did not succeed in 
building up the church. 

Mr. Tappan, after attending public worship at 
the Bowery church about a year, resumed his at¬ 
tendance at Laight-street church, with his family. 
Here, as well as elsewhere, he engaged in distribu¬ 
ting religious tracts, exploring the destitute portions 
of the city for scholars for the Sunday-school, visit¬ 
ing prisoners, and endeavoring to allure the young 
and their parents to church, and setting an example 
of Sabbath-day work, congenial to his disposition, 
and worthy of imitation. 

The Education Society was one in which he took 
a deep interest. He exerted himself in behalf of 
beneficiaries, to recommend them to the patronage 
of the society, and contributed to the fund for their 
support. In 1807, he was chosen chairman of the 
executive committee of the New York branch of 
the “American Education Society.” In May, 1831, 
he was elected president, and filled that office, and 
also that of chairman of the executive committee 
until May, 1833, when he sent in his letter of resig¬ 
nation, as appears by the record of the executive 
committee: “ A letter was received from Mr. Arthur 
Tappan, resigning his office of president, owing to 
the removal of his residence from the city, without 
the bounds of this society. The letter contained a 


DR. PATTON’S NOTE. 89 

full expression of his affection for the society, and 
willingness still to aid its operations.” 

Bev. Dr. Patton, who succeeded Dr. Cornelius 
as corresponding secretary, says, in a letter to the 
compiler: 

“ My memories of your brother Arthur Tappan 
are all pleasant. It was my privilege to work with 
him in many of the benevolent agencies to which he 
devoted so exeijaplarily his time and money. For a 
series of years, he was the chairman of the execu¬ 
tive committee of the society for the education of 
pious young men for the gospel ministry. He was 
deeply interested in this cause, and was very punc¬ 
tual in his attendance at the monthly meetings. 
"When the effort was made to have me relinquish 
my pastoral charge, and take the oversight and ex¬ 
ecutive agency of the society, he promptly offered 
to pay half the salary for five years, and to make it 
sure he would give his five notes for $1,000 each, 
payable yearly. I do not think that his interest in 
the education of young men for the ministry ever 
flagged.” 

He was succeeded in the office of president of 
the Education Society by Hon. Theodore Freling- 
huysen. 

In the month of May, 1830, the free church 
plan was commenced in the city of New York. 
The success was very great. Six churches were 
successively formed. Large numbers of persons, 
who probably would not otherwise have attended 
public worship, were attracted to these churches; 


90 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


and many were converted under the ministrations of 
the pastors, aided as they were by the active exer¬ 
tions of the officers and members. This system ac¬ 
corded with the views of Mr. Tapp an, and received 
his support. 

Having possession of Masonic hall, in Broad¬ 
way, as lessee, he gave the use of it to the First 
Free church, in 1831, for the unexpired term of the 
lease, and endorsed the notes of the committee of 
the church for $5,400. And when it was contem¬ 
plated to hire the Chatham-street theatre for ten 
years, to alter it for the use of the Second Free 
church, under the ministry of Bev. Charles G. Fin¬ 
ney, he presided at a meeting of the friends of the 
enterprise. A subscription was begun, in aid of it, 
and Mr. Tappan contributed his share of the $8,000 
secured. 


JOURNAL OF COMMERCE. 


91 


VI. 


Eaely in the year 1828, he invited his brother 
Lewis to be a second time associated with him in 
business. They continued partners until the year 
1841, when the connection was amicably dissolved. 
This arrangement relieved him from the pressure of 
business, and enabled him to devote more time to 
philanthropic objects and occasional recreation. 

Before it took place, however, he conceived the 
plan of establishing a new daily commercial paper, 
one that would exert a wholesome moral influence, 
abstaining particularly from publishing immoral 
advertisements. He included in the category those 
relating to spirituous liquors, circuses, and theatres. 
It was his desire also to demonstrate the feasibility 
of publishing a daily journal of a better class in 
every respect than the papers of the day, and es¬ 
pecially one that would not infringe upon the Sab¬ 
bath. 

A new paper,' styled the Journal of Commerce , 
was commenced, on his sole responsibility, Septem¬ 
ber 1, 1827. It exists at the present day, owmed by 
other proprietors, and with some change in its char¬ 
acter. The first editor was William Maxwell, Esq., 
of Virginia, who had two or more assistants. The 
business department was conducted by Mr. David 
Hale, of Massachusetts, who had unlimited discre¬ 
tion with respect to the expenditure of money. 


92 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


After nearly a year’s trial, finding that he had 
expended upwards of thirty thousand dollars, and 
that the paper was not answering his expectations, 
he came to the resolution of abandoning the at¬ 
tempt. His brother then took it off his hands, and 
with the temporary aid of Mr. Horace Bushnell,* 
one of the assistant editors, and Mr. Hale, continued 
the publication, Mr. Maxwell retiring. An an¬ 
nouncement was made of the principles upon which 
the paper would be conducted.t 

An association was formed of a few early friends 
of the enterprise to carry on the paper until a per¬ 
manent arrangement could be made. The actual 
property was inventoried, and the estimated value 
was credited to the new proprietor. The members 
of the association, of which Arthur Tappan was one, 
subscribed various sums, liable to be paid, pro rata , 
as the receipts fell short of the expenditures. Mean¬ 
time, efforts were made to secure the services of a 
permanent editor, and to remove some misappre¬ 
hensions existing in the public mind. 

The daily press was unfriendly to the plan of 
starting a new paper, and it was felt that the avow¬ 
ed principles upon which it was to be-conducted were 
a reflection upon the conductors of existing estab¬ 
lishments. Many persons, not connected with them, 
doubted the feasibility of sustaining a daily paper 
as proposed, and not a few sneered at the attempt 
to effect a reformation in conducting papers already 

* Now Rev. Dr. Bushnell, of Hartford, Conn. 

+ See Appendix 3, for further particulars. 


JOURNAL OF COMMERCE. 


93 


existing. It. was said too that the principles upon 
which the new journal was ostensibly conducted 
were not adhered to; that the business editor and 
superintendent, Mr. Hale, did not refrain from labor 
on the Sabbath, or the hours deemed sacred in New 
York. 

In order that the new proprietor could certify from 
his own knowledge that, in regard to the Sabbath, 
the day was not infringed upon by any work con¬ 
nected with the paper, he made it an invariable 
practice to stand by and see the printing office and 
editors’ office closed at 12 o’clock every Saturday 
night, and opened every Sunday night at the same 
hour. This was done for four months, while the estab¬ 
lishment was under his control. The paper made 
its appearance punctually every Monday morning, 
as on other days, and no subscriber was known to 
complain that its delivery was delayed. The facts 
became so generally known that the taunts subsided, 
and what had been deemed impossible, was shown 
to be a veritable fact. 

The New York Observer , in noticing the accusa¬ 
tions that had been made, put forth a defence of 
Mr. Hale, previous to the change of proprietorship, 
in an article ending as follows: 

“ The only serious charge which we bring against 
the Journal of Commerce is, that it has not been suf¬ 
ficiently decided, or rather has not gone far enough, 
in supiDorting good morals and exposing vice. That 
it has been highly useful in this respect, we admit; 
but we think it might have been more so. And 


94 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


we are happy to state (which we do on the best 
authority) that such changes will be made at the 
close of the present year, as shall effectually secure 
this object. "We shall then see whether the papers 
which now condemn it because it has been no more 
decisive in these matters, will, or will not, assume 
the opposite ground. We hope they will not. But 
as to the past we do not believe it was in the power 
of man to edit it in such a manner as to moet their 
approbation.”* 

After several ineffectual attempts to secure the 
services of a competent editor, towards the close of 
the year an agreement was made with Mr. Gerard 
Hallock and Mr. David Hale, by which they were 
to be editors and conductors of the paper, and to 
have two years, if they requested it, to determine 
whether they would be the purchasers of the estab¬ 
lishment at the valuation made at the transfer with 
the addition of the sums paid by the members of 
the association. At the end of the time they agreed 
to become purchasers. The sums advanced by the 
members of the association, were returned to them, 
and six thousand dollars, the estimated value before 
mentioned, were paid to Mr. Arthur Tappan, which 
•reduced his advance for establishing the paper to 
twenty-five thousand dollars. 

The purchase was an advantageous one on the 
part of Hale and Hallock, as on the foundation laid 
by the original proprietor, a commercial paper was 
established of the first class. The sale was satisfac- 
* See New York Observer of August 23, 1828. 


MR. A. TAPPAN’S LETTER. 


tory to all parties interested. The merchants 
as proprietors, or members of the association, 
devoted considerable time to the object, had secm\ 
as they thought, its accomplishment, and were re 
lieved from further responsibility, while those who 
succeeded them, by their unwearied diligence and 
enterprise, secured for themselves and their succes¬ 
sors an ample fortune. It would have been very 
gratifying to Mr. Arthur Tapp an, after expending 
so much in laying the foundation of an establish¬ 
ment that has been so profitable to those who suc¬ 
ceeded him, if they had conducted the paper in 
support of, rather than opposed to, the anti-slavery 
sentiments he afterwards cherished, and had made 
it an auxiliary to the great plan of universal eman¬ 
cipation that has, under an overruling Providence, 
been so signally successful. But he rejoiced in all 
the good it accomplished. 

In the following letter, addressed to his brother, 
thirty years after his-connection with the Journal of 
Commerce had ceased, he gives the views he held at 
the establishment of the paper and subsequently: 

“New Haven, Dec. 6, 1858. 

“. . . Mr. S-has given me a newspaper con¬ 

taining a statement of what is called the origin of 
the Journal of Commerce ,, etc. As there are, in that 
publication, several erroneous assertions, I send the 
paper to you, that they may be corrected in an arti¬ 
cle addressed to the editors of the Journal, or other¬ 
wise. 

“ First. The fact that Hale and Hallock gave so 



ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


nousands of dollars for the paper is sufficient 
,nce that it was not run down to so low an ebb 
the writer represents. 

“ Second. The cause of its not succeeding better 
was not abolition , for that subject had not then been 
broached. It was the theatres, and particularly the 
indecent dancing there; and the desecration of the 
Sabbath, and the use of intoxicating drinks, that 
called the paper into existence. There was also a 
desire to have newspapers better printed. At that 
time most of them used ink that blackened the hands 
on handling them. And if papers were issued on 
Monday, most of the work was usually done on the 
Sabbath. 

“The fact that the first editor was from Virginia 
is further proof that the slavery question was not a 
reason that the paper did not succeed better. We 
needed, in order to stem the torrent of opposition 
from other newspapers and their supporters, and 
from the supporters of theatres, Sabbath breaking 
and intemperance, an editor, or editors of true 
Yankee grit , who, when they attempt an enterprise 
that is practicable, always succeed. These were 
found in Hale and Hallock, from whom I do not de¬ 
sire to detract any of the merit they have so richly 
earned.” 

The Sabbath Question, as it was called, attract¬ 
ed the attention of Christians at this time through¬ 
out the country. The desecration of the Lord’s 
day was a just occasion of alarm, and Christians of 
different denominations were considering the sub- 


THE SABBATH QUESTION. 

ject, with an earnest desire to effect a reformati 
especially with reference to the opening of postoffices, 
the transmission of the mails, and the various ways 
in which the fourth commandment was openly dis¬ 
obeyed in the community. In these efforts Mr. 
Tappan took a decided part, as appears by the fol¬ 
lowing extract from the New York Observer: 

THE SABBATH. 

At an adjourned meeting of citizens of New York, held 
on the evening of April 19, 1828, to promote the better ob¬ 
servance of the Sabbath, the undersigned were appointed a 
committee to make arrangements for a meeting of such dele¬ 
gates as have been or shall be appointed to meet in this city 
to take into consideration the subject of forming a general 
society for the promotion of this object. In pursuance of 
this appointment, we hereby invite a meeting to be held at 
the American Tract Society’s house on Tuesday the sixth of 
May next, at four o’clock, p. m. 

ARTHUR TAPPAN, 
JOHN STEARNS, 
JOHN NITCHIE, 

D. M. REESE, 

ELIJAH PIERSON. 

A meeting was accordingly held. It was well 
attended by gentlemen from different parts of the 
country, and the proceedings were animated and 
harmonious. xA constitution of a new society vras 
formed, called “ The General Union for Promoting 
the Observance of the Christian Sabbath.” Article 
II. stated that “ it should consist indiscriminately of 
the friends of morality and religion, of all denomi¬ 
nations, who may choose to combine their influence 
for the promotion of this interesting objectand 
Article III. averred that, “As the weapons of the 
Christian warfare are not carnal, but spiritual, the 
5 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


_tt means employed by this society for effecting 
aeir design, shall be the influence of personal ex¬ 
ample, of moral suasion, with arguments drawn from 
the oracles of God, from the existing laws of our 
country, appeals to the consciences and hearts of 
men, and fervent supplications to the Lord of the 
Sabbath.” 

Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer was chosen pres¬ 
ident, Rev. M. Bruen corresponding secretary, and 
Arthur Tappan treasurer, of the society. 

At the first anniversary, May, 1829, at the Meth¬ 
odist church in John-street, New York, the corre¬ 
sponding secretary read the annual report of the 
executive committee, and several important resolu¬ 
tions were offered and adopted. The following 
gentlemen took part in the proceedings: Jeremiah 
Evarts, Esq., Rev. Dr. Milnor, Rev. Charles P. 
Mcllvaine, Rev. Dr. Proudfit, Rev. Dr. McAuley, 
Hon. Charles Marsh, and Rev. Dr. Beecher.* 

Dr. Beecher and Mr. Evarts took an active part 
in promoting the interests of the society. Thirty 
thousand copies of an able address, written by the 
former, were published at its commencement and 
widely circulated. Meetings were held in further¬ 
ance of the objects of the society, in various places, 
and much enthusiasm was evinced for a time in 
efforts to accomplish the object aimed at. 

The subjoined letter was written by Mr. Tappan to 
his brother, who was on a visit to Boston; Mr. Fre- 

Mr. Evarts remarked after the meeting, that it was the ablest 
speech he had ever heard from Hr. Beecher. 


LETTER TO HIS BROTHER. 


lingliuysen disappointed the hopes of the friends 
the cause by declining the appointment of the secrt 
taryship of the “GeneralUnion,” which he did, after 
deliberate and prayerful consideration, in the belief 
that he could do more good to the general cause of 
Christian philanthropy in other spheres. 

“New Yoke, June 4, 1828. 

“I have your letter informing me of your doings 
on the subject of the Sabbath, and have handed it, 
as you requested, to Mr. Pierson. 

“I am sorry to inform you, that Mr. Freling- 
huysen has declined. This is a great disappoint¬ 
ment to me, as it will be to you. What is to be 
done ? I feel as if Mr. Prelinghuysen should not 
be despaired of until another effort has been made 
to obtain him. But this must devolve on your com¬ 
mittee. You have done nobly in Boston. I cannot 
learn that there has been, or is likely to be, a public 
meeting in Philadelphia. The subject was brought^" 
^before the general assembly by Dr. Beecher, and 
resolutions brought in by a committee were adopt¬ 
ed. But clergymen returning from Philadelphia 
heard nothing said about a public meeting. 

“. . . While I was writing, a clergyman came in, 
who has been at Mr. Frelinghuysen’s house, some 
days past, and he thinks we may yet succeed in ob¬ 
taining him. He says Mr. Frelingliuysen is deeply 
interested in the subject. Probably Dr. Beecher’s 
address has influenced him some. I do not despair 

of him.If we engage Mr. Frelinghuysen, there 

ought to be some way devised for obtaining funds. 



ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


you get the society at Boston to be responsible 
. a specific amount ?” 

Several distinguished persons were solicited to 
accept the office of general agent, with assurances 
of a competent salary, but they all declined. Dr. 
Justin Edwards, being at the time about to resume 
his labors in the temperance cause, declined the call, 
and wrote: 

“Sabbath-breakers are generally rum-drinkers; 
and while they continue the use of distilled liquors, 
it will not be possible to lead them duly to observe 
the Christian Sabbath. In order, therefore, to ac¬ 
complish the great object of the General Sabbath 
Union, as well as that of the Bible Society, the Home 
and Foreign Missionary societies, and every other 
benevolent institution, I think it proper for me at 
present to labor to banish the use of distilled liquors 
from the earth.” 

Others concurred in the opinion of Dr. Edwards, 
and among them the officers of the society, who 
thought that an interest would not be felt in the 
specific object while so many persons, including pro¬ 
fessors of religion, manifested lukewarmness in other 
departments of Christian obligation. Still they 
would have persevered had it been in their power 
to secure the services of a competent person to be 
the actuary of the enterprise. After very strenuous 
exertions they failed in obtaining such a one. 
In a short period, therefore, the society ceased its 
operations, much to the regret of Mr. Tappan, and 
those who had been associated with him in the 


GOOD RESULTS. 


efforts, long pursued, to rescue from desecration t 
day set apart by tlie Creator, in the infancy of th 
race, to promote the well-being of man, as well as 
his own glory in all ages. 

But the labors of those particularly interested in 
the effort were not wholly ineffectual. The publica¬ 
tions that were issued, and the meetings that were 
held, awakened attention to the subject of Sabbath 
desecration, and in numerous instances produced 
salutary reformations. Among other instances of 
the kind were the following: 'A postmaster in one of 
the villages of New York, who at the age of twenty- 
five had a salary upon which he depended for sup¬ 
port, resigned his place because he could not con¬ 
scientiously keep the postoffice open part of the 
Lord’s day, as was required by the act of Congress. 
He related this in Mr. Tappan’s store. 

In one of the religious papers was the following 
article, headed, “ Stages on the Sabbath.— Messrs. 
Editors: Having recently travelled through the val¬ 
ley of the Connecticut river, I was pleased to learn 
that a large proprietor of stages in Yermont had 
come to the resolution not to suffer a single horse 
owned by him to travel on the Lord’s day; and the 
resolution is put into practice. This proprietor is a 
member of the Baptist church. He told me he had 
long felt the impropriety and inconsistency of per¬ 
mitting his horses and stages to travel on the 
Sabbath, but as he was a mail contractor, he did 
not know how to avoid it. The measures of the 
General Union had, however, taken hold of his feel- 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


5 s and conscience, and he then easily found a way 
avoid the evil, which was to dispose of his con¬ 
trol Let others go and do likewise.” 

It is believed that very many instances of a sim¬ 
ilar character resulted from the attempt made to 
secure a better observance of the Lord’s day. Those 
most actively engaged in the enterprise, after it was 
started, were business men; and their own affairs, 
and their labors in other societies, prevented them 
from continuing their labors in this society, under 
the disadvantage of having no able person to fill the 
office of agent. 

The efforts made for the suppression of intem¬ 
perance early enlisted Mr. Tappan’s feelings and co- 
operation. Especially was he interested in the ques¬ 
tion of pure wine for churches at their communion 
seasons. Pledges of total abstinence from all intox¬ 
icating drinks were made by large portions of the 
community, especially by church members. An 
exception was made of wines used on sacramental 
occasions. The non-abstaining portion of the peo¬ 
ple were quick to see this, and to use it as an argu¬ 
ment against total abstinence. Leading Christian 
men engaged in the temperance cause saw and 
acknowledged the inconsistency, and were desirous 
of providing a substitute for the alcoholic wines 
universally used at the Lord’s Supper. 

Mr. Tappan encouraged the publication of facts 
on the subject, and the employment of temperance 
lecturers, who advocated the entire disuse of all alco¬ 
holic beverages, whether at communion seasons or 


THE TEMPERANCE REFORM. 103 

otherwise. This discussion produced some division 
among the friends of temperance. Wine is the 
article, said they, that w r as used by the Saviour at 
the institution of the ordinance; it has been used in 
the churches ever since; and since the pure juice of 
the grape cannot be had, it is sacrilegious to dis¬ 
use the commercial wine of the day, or provide a 
substitute. It was evident, he believed, that two 
kinds of wune are mentioned in the Scriptures, one 
fermented, and the other unfermented; that the for¬ 
mer is called “a mocker,” “the poison of dragons,” 
and the latter, the wine that “ such as be faint may 
drink.” This theory explains the passages condemna¬ 
tory of wine, and those that commend its moderate use. 

Some denied that the wines usually sold con¬ 
tained any considerable portion of alcohol. To de¬ 
monstrate the error of this opinion, Mr. Delavan, a 
distinguished advocate of total abstinence, caused 
choice wines from his cellar to be analyzed, and 
published the result. It was found that alcohol 
composed more than fifty per cent, of the wines. 
He therefore caused the bottles to be broken and 
the contents poured into the street. Tt was mani¬ 
fest that inferior wines, such as were commonly 
used, contained a much greater proportion of alco¬ 
hol, and it was made evident that a large part of the 
“wine,” so called, in general use, including that 
used by the churches, did not contain any juice of 
the grape, but was manufactured from the most 
deleterious articles. 

Mr. Tappan, and other out-and-out temperance 


104 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


men, saw at once that while alcoholic wines were 
allowed at communion seasons, an insuperable ob¬ 
stacle existed in extending the reformation among 
church members. Those persons who, before or 
after uniting with the churches, had been habituated 
to a free use of intoxicating drinks, and had been 
indnced to take the pledge of total abstinence, would, 
it was feared, have the appetite for such beverages 
rekindled, unless the pledge included wine at the 
communion as well as on other occasions. 

To meet the difficulty, various suggestions were 
made with regard to providing a substitute, and the 
subject underwent ample discussion. Mr. Tappan 
encouraged a temperance firm, who were in the gro¬ 
cery business, to procure and offer for sale an article 
called pure wine, warranted to be free from alcohol 
and all impure mixtures, and publicly recommended 
it. In this way he believed that the example of the 
churches would aid rather than frustrate the tem¬ 
perance reform, and prevent its enemies from taunt¬ 
ing church members with using alcoholic wine at 
communion seasons while they denounced its use at 
other times. 

Many churches availed themselves of the oppor¬ 
tunity; and the quality of wines used for religious 
purposes has since that period been much improved. 
Wine-bibbers, however, employed their wit and rid¬ 
icule with regard to efforts tending to make their 
favorite beverages unpopular, and too many mem¬ 
bers of churches quailed before the opposition. Mr. 
Tappan was one of those who believed that ferment- 


PURE WINES. 


105 


ed wines were not used by the early Christians. But 
whether used by them or not, he held that Chris¬ 
tians at the present day are bound to abstain from 
their use, if detrimental to others. 

It was not a little annoying to those who assailed 
Mr. Tappan with their ridicule in consequence of 
his claiming that the wine created at the marriage 
festival at Cana must have been unfermented wine, 
that a distinguished Jew in New York, during the 
controversy, stated in his daily paper that unfer¬ 
mented wine was used at the Passover by the Israel¬ 
ites. The editor, Mordecai Manasseh Noah, was 
deemed good authority, and his testimony corrob¬ 
orated the statements of Mr. Tappan, and aided the 
friends of “ pure wine.” 

He had the satisfaction to believe that success 
had attended his efforts, and that intoxicating wines 
were far less used, after attention had been directed 
to pure wines, than before, and that consequently 
the temperance cause, so dear to him, tvas greatly 
promoted. 

In the “Life and Labors of Justin Edwards, 
D. D.,” page 827, is the following extract of a letter 
from that eminent servant of Christ to his wife, writ¬ 
ten while he was engaged in the temperance cause : 

“ I cannot but hope that in some way the Lord 
will provide means to extend and perpetuate this 
work of mercy, till there is not a drunkard on the 
globe> and not a sober man to make the drunkard’s 
drink. Mr. Arthur Tappan, at the monthly concert, 
put in a thousand dollars for foreign missions; and 


106 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


soon after, at a missionary meeting, subscribed four 
thousand dollars; about three times as much as all 
the rest of the people. I expect that he will give 
.me something for temperance.” 

Mr. Tappan was of course a prohibitionist. He 
never encouraged halfway measures in questions of 
moral reform, and was not of the number that inter¬ 
preted thus the declaration of the apostle: “I am 
made all things to all men, that I might by all means 
save some.” He was an immediatist also, not as an 
abolitionist merely, but on all subjects touching the 
\proper restraint and thorough reformation of men; 
for he believed that there was more energy, consist¬ 
ency, and perseverance, and more probable success 
in the ultimate attainment of an object, when reform¬ 
ers acted from principle instead of policy, and had 
for their motto the talismanic injunction: Touch 
\not, taste not, handle not. 

Did he then omit to employ moral suasion for 
the correction of evil and the reclamation of offend¬ 
ers ? By no means. He was now, as he had ever 
been, a zealous advocate of moral suasion; but when 
the community was ripe for it, he was for using pro¬ 
hibition with incorrigible transgressors. If men could 
be persuaded to abandon hard drinking, he rejoiced 
in it ; but if they would, in spite of remonstrance and 
entreaty, become drunkards, he was decidedly for 
prohibiting the distillation and sale of the article 
that enabled them to destroy body and soul. It is 
lawful for a legislature to prohibit the sale of poi¬ 
sons. Intoxicating drinks are poisons, and therefore 


INTOXICATING BEVERAGES. 107 


it is right that they should be prohibited. And when 
lawmakers understand the subject, and can enact 
prohibitory laws, it is them duty to enact and enforce 
them in such a way as best to secure the object. 
He believed that men have no right to destroy them¬ 
selves or their neighbors, and so far as prohibitory 
enactments will prevent such felo de se, and such 
homicide , they ought to be enacted. 

He had no confidence in the license system, and 
considered it wrong and wicked, believing that “ the 
traffic in intoxicating beverages is a dishonor to 
Christian civilization, inimical to the best interests 
of society, a political wrong of unequalled enormity, 
subversive of the ordinary objects of government, 
not capable of being regulated or restrained by 
any system of license whatever, but imperatively 
demanding for its suppression effective legal prohi¬ 
bition, both by state and national legislation.” 
Meantime he was in favor of employing moral sua¬ 
sion unceasingly, for all who will yield to it; and 
legal enactment, to be vigorously enforced, for those 
who will not be influenced by moral suasion. 

Sound policy, he believed, required prohibitory 
law r s against the traffic in intoxicating beverages; 
but he relied on a higher authority. The Bible is 
prohibitory on the subject. It is a principle of the 
Divine government, that designs that are criminal 
if consummated, must not be meditated or com¬ 
menced: “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust 
after her, hath committed adultery with her already 
in his heart.” Therefore, when it is said, “No 



108 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God,” we 
have the teachings of the Saviour, that a voluntary- 
act that knowingly leads to drunkenness is, in the 
Divine mind, drunkenness itself. 

From childhood he had also been opposed to the 
use of tobacco in all its forms, considering its use 
wasteful and injurious, alike to body, intellect, and 
soul. His personal cleanliness made him shrink 
from one whose breath and apparel, and even coun¬ 
tenance, betokened that he was addicted to the use 
of the “filthy weed;” and he knew too many whose 
stomachs and nervous system had been greatly im¬ 
paired or irreparably deranged by it. He felt grate¬ 
ful to his parents, whose example had been so effica¬ 
cious in this respect, believing that, with regard to 
such a pernicious habit, children of the third and 
fourth generation are often the victims of the en¬ 
slavement of their progenitors to this offence against 
cleanliness and health. It was a grief to him that 
the farmers in his native town had fallen into the' 
“ tobacco mania,” and for the sake of making money, 
were turning their beautiful fields and meadows into 
tobacco patches. He mourned over the fact, also, 
that some men, who had been distinguished for their 
advocacy of the temperance cause, had, on taking 
up the practice of smoking, fallen into the habit of 
using intoxicating drinks. He wished to warn those 
who had not thus fallen of their danger: “ Where¬ 
fore, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed 
lest he fall.” 

Dr. Hosack the elder, in a temperance lecture 


TOBACCO MANIA. 


109 


delivered in Murray-street church, (Rev. Dr. Ma¬ 
son’s,) where Mr. Tappan had attended, in alluding 
to the use of tobacco, said something like the fol¬ 
lowing : “ I warn you against the use of tobacco. It 
affects injuriously the physical and mental functions. 
Besides, it leads to intemperance, as there are very 
few men who use it who content themselves with 
washing out their throats with cold water.” This 
celebrated physician discarded the opinions of med¬ 
ical men who recommend to their patients the use 
of tobacco and intoxicating drinks, and founded his 
own upon the deleterious nature of the articles, their 
natural effects, and his observation during a long 
course of practice. 

Mr. Tappan’s friend, Dr. William Patton, long 
associated with him in benevolent enterprises in 
New York, and now a resident of New Haven, Conn., 
has given his testimony respecting the baneful effects 
of smoking during his early ministry, and the bene¬ 
ficial results of entire freedom from this habit. It 
corroborates the opinion of Dr. Hosack fully.* 

There are men who will disregard the opinions 
of physicians and ministers of the gospel, if adverse 
to their long-indulged habits, although these opin¬ 
ions are founded upon physiological principles, ob¬ 
servation, or experience, who will be restrained by 
the tender and self-denying declaration of the apos¬ 
tle : “ Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, 
I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I 
make my brother to offend.” 

* See Chicago Advance of May 5, 1870. 


110 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


VIL 

It was in the year 1831 that Mr. Tappan became 
interested in efforts then making to repress licen¬ 
tiousness in New York. His attention had been 
called to the subject previously. When in London 
in 1810, he attended one Sunday evening, the reli¬ 
gious services at the Magdalen Asylum, then on 
the Blackfriars road. The singing was by the in¬ 
mates, who were screened from observation by a 
curtain in front of the choir. Their performance 
was so excellent that an American clergyman who 
was present, remarked afterwards, “ They sang as if 
they had never been sinners.” It was stated that 
large numbers of these “fallen women,” had been 
restored to their families, friends, and society, and 
many of them had continued honorable and correct 
in their behavior. 

At his visit to Philadelphia, in later years, he 
w r as so much impressed with the importance of 
doing something for the prevention of the sin, and 
the restoration of those who had wandered from the 
path of virtue, that he held conversations with per¬ 
sons who had interested themselves in the subject, 
in respect to what had been done, and what was 
contemplated. When efforts were made in New 
York to correct the evil, he lent the project all the 
aid in his power. 

Mr. John E. McDowall, a licentiate in the min- 


MR. McDOWALL’S LABORS. lix 

istry from Princeton, New Jersey, had come to New 
York in the month of September, 1830, to do what 
he could for its enlightenment and purification. It 
was an errand of benevolence, and his first'object 
was to labor as a domestic missionary among the 
poor, particularly in bringing their children under 
the influence of Sabbath-school instruction. “While 
engaged in this way, in the neighborhood of the 
Five Points, where he was instrumental in estab¬ 
lishing a Sunday-school, he was brought under the 
painful observation of some of the hideous develop¬ 
ments of the sin of impurity.He soon decided 

that this opened a field which should, under God, 
be the one for his future labors.”* 

Mr. Tappan became deeply interested in Mr. 
McDowall’s labors. Having so many young men 
in his employment, most of whom were separated 
from their homes in the country, he felt for them 
much solicitude, and also for other youth in a city so 
full of temptations. Seeing that efforts were made 
for their protection and welfare, he stepped forward, 
with his influence and purse, to aid in this praise¬ 
worthy enterprise. He felt compassion also for the 
wretched women, who had been beguiled and ruined^- 
by unprincipled men. The disagreeableness of the 
subject did not deter him, for he had no love of rep¬ 
utation when it must be kept unsullied by refusing 
to interfere in a question of this kind, or declining 
to go into the haunts of vice, and the dens of iniqui- 

o See a communication in “The Advocate of Moral Reform,” 
of January 1, 1837, by Stephen Brown, M. D. 



112 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


ty on an errand of mercy. On the contrary he glo¬ 
ried in all the soiling that attaches to one in. such 
efforts. To save the tempted, and reform the fallen, 
he was willing to explore the recesses of Satan, and 
engage in an unpopular enterprise. 

There existed at the time an association named 
the “ Female Asylum Society,” but on the formation 
of the “New York Magdalen Society,” in the spring 
of 1831, of which Mr. Tappan was the president, the 
former society became merged in it. Mr. McDowall 
was elected chaplain to the new society, and began 
to publish essays, containing facts and appeals cal¬ 
culated to arouse public attention, and enlist the 
sympathies and benefactions of benevolent persons. 
He had also a periodical, styled McDoivaWs Journal , 
that entered into the subject of this reform with 
zeal and fearlessness. As he prosecuted the work 
he secured the countenance of a considerable num¬ 
ber of influential ministers and laymen in the city, 
and in different parts of the country, whose names 
were freely given to his testimonials and circulars, 
recommending both him, and the cause of which he 
was such an intrepid advocate. 

Donations were made for the support of Mr. 
McDowall, and in aid of his journal, and other efforts 
put forth by individuals in various states, who seem¬ 
ed to feel a deep interest in the subject and in his 
self-denying labors. Parents and guardians in the 
country, who had sons and wards in the great city, 
so full of attractions and temptations, manifested 
much interest in the movement. Societies were 


MR. McDOWALL’S LABORS. 


113 


formed in many towns, also in clinrclies, not only in 
the city of New York, but in other cities and villa¬ 
ges. Some of them were composed of men, others 
of women. Mothers and sisters hoped to do some¬ 
thing consistently with their appropriate spheres 
of duty, to abate, if not eradicate, an evil so preva¬ 
lent and so desolating, and to afford protection to 
sons and brothers so greatly exposed in a large city. 

The country appeared to be moved. Public 
meetings were held, lecturing agents were employed, 
publications were circulated, and the work seemed 
to advance prosperously. Mr. McDowall was the 
leading agent, and his labors diffused through the 
other agencies an enthusiasm seldom evinced. But 
when, in June, 1831, the Magdalen Society pub¬ 
lished their famous report, made up of statistics 
of the vice in question, gathered chiefly by Mr. 
McDowall, in his explorations and inquiries, and 
estimates made of the extent of the prevailing vice, 
it w r as received with a burst of indignation and with 
threats of vengeance. “ The city has been slander¬ 
ed,” exclaimed the vicious and their quasi allies 
among certain professing Christians. “This auda¬ 
cious and libellous man must be put down, and the 
society that has patronized him must be silenced,” 
was the general cry. 

The city press, with few exceptions, commented 
upon the report with severity; some of the religious 
newspapers censured the agent without stint, and 
McDowalVs Journal , in which the report was pub¬ 
lished, was presented as a nuisance by the grand 


114 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


jury of New York, tlie foreman of which was an 
elder in a Presbyterian church! The uproar seemed 
like a renewal of the scenes at Ephesus, in olden 
times. 

It may be that Mr. McDowall was not always so 
prudent and discreet as he should have been, and 
that his zeal and courage were greater than his 
judgment. He was also more gifted in searching 
out and exposing iniquities than in suggesting rem¬ 
edies. It was a subject of great delicacy and diffi¬ 
culty, it must be confessed, requiring much experi¬ 
ence and wisdom in prosecuting it, in gathering and 
publishing facts, and applying remedies. The evil 
however was notorious, active efforts for its preven¬ 
tion were demanded by the public voice, and yet 
too many “experienced, competent men” hung back. 
A devotedly pious young man, full of zeal for his 
Master, and desirous of doing good, seeing that no 
one waged battle with this foe to society, stepped 
into the breach, and risked every thing in efforts to 
stay an iniquity that threatened the ruin, for time 
and eternity, of thousands of the young. He re¬ 
solved on gathering additional facts and publishing 
them, trusting that public sentiment would lead to 
the adoption of efficient measures for the restraint 
if not suppression of the iniquity. Let not his zeal, 
even if it trespassed sometimes on the borders of 
indiscretion, be severely censured. There were wiser 
men than himself, doubtless, among those who sanc¬ 
tioned his proceedings, but few of them that had his 
indomitable courage and perseverance. 


UPROAR IN THE CITY. 


115 


The editor of the Portland (Me.) Christian Mir - 
ror , of December, 1832—considered a conservative 
paper—justly said: “We have concluded that he 
[Mr. McDowall] is actuated by disinterested benev¬ 
olence, if such a thing exists on earth, for we see 
not what other principle is adequate to sustain him 
in exemplary labors, reproach, self-denial, and ma¬ 
lignant threatenings of violence in such a revolting 
scene of action.” 

Mr. McDowall did as well as he could under the 
trying circumstances in which he was placed. He 
gathered the moral statistics of crime, and published 
them under the inspection and endorsement of two 
physicians, without fear of consequences. This bold 
assault upon vice was an unpardonable offence in 
the opinion of all parties interested either in perpe¬ 
trating or concealing crime. Unjust judges, unprin¬ 
cipled “officers of justice,” covetous landlords, hoary 
and youthful men of dissipated habits, together with 
all who profited by the wretchedness of lewd men 
and women, were boisterous in their denunciations 
of McDowall, who might have said, “ The world can¬ 
not hate you, but me it hateth, because I testify of 
it, that the works thereof are evil.” 

Mr. Tappan saw that Mr. McDowall had come 
to the city, with a desire, in imitation of his Master, 
to go about doing good; that he had overcome his 
natural diffidence, and had gone forward, through 
evil report and good report, to accomplish a refor¬ 
mation, that has been opposed more than any other 
by the powers of darkness, and the selfishness and 



116 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


depravity of vicious men. He believed also, that 
much good had been accomplished, and he desired 
to stand by him. He did so as long as he could 
anticipate satisfactory results from his labors. 

The position of Mr. Tappan, as president of the 
society, as one of the committee to prepare and 
publish^ the Magdalen report, * and as the avowed 
friend and supporter of Mr. McDowall, exposed him 
to much unmerited censure. He was threatened 
with personal violence, his house was supposed to be 
in danger of being mobbed, and he was denounced, 
not only by the openly wicked, but by some well- 
meaning but timid Christian men, as the upholder 
of a dangerous man, and the patron of a disgraceful 
cause. The circulation of the report had alarmed 
all dissolute men, and had unnerved a large majority 
of the Christian community. The wicked feared 
exposure, and the opposers of wickedness were 
apprehensive that reformatory measures had been 
overdone. 

The committee charged with the duty of prepar¬ 
ing and publishing the report, made up from the 
statistics gathered by Mr. McDowall, were Arthur 
Tappan, Stephen Brown, M. D., and David M. 
Keese, M. D. All of them were members of churches, 
and stood well in the denominations to which they 
belonged. The report was written by Dr. Beese, 
as he avowed to the compiler, saying, with charac- 
teristeric complacency, “They say it is the best 
thing I ever wrote.” One can judge of the surprise 
felt on seeing, in an evening newspaper, a day or 


THE MAGDALEN REPORT. 117 

twa afterwards, a card to the following effect: “I 
am not the author of the Magdalen Report, D. M. 
Reese, M. D.” On meeting him, soon after, the 
inquiry was put, “ How came you to publish such a 
card, after stating that you were the author of the 
report?” The reply was, “They threatened to 
tear my house down.” 

Both Mr. Tappan and Dr. Brown treated the 
recreancy as it deserved. Large portions of the 
community would, after the denial of Dr. Reese, be¬ 
lieve, of course, that one of his associates on the 
committee was the author. They were content to 
have it so understood, and took no notice of the 
denial. Dr. Brown, during the whole turmoil, was 
firm as a rock. He was an able physician, a calm, 
thoughtful man, “and one that feared God, and 
eschewed evil.” He believed that he had done 
his duty. As a physician he had acquired much 
knowledge of the state of things in the city, and he 
believed in the truthfulness of the statements made 
in the report. 

In the course of the year, the society was dis¬ 
solved. Mr. McDowall thenceforth continued his 
labors wholly on his own responsibility. He con¬ 
tinued to publish a periodical, circulate moral re¬ 
form tracts, and preach in the open streets at the 
Five Points and the neighborhood, to “ publicans 
and harlots.” He was lampooned, caricatured, 
shunned by many, and, at length, reprimanded by 
his Presbytery. He saw fit to publish some criti¬ 
cisms respecting the Magdalen Society, which Mr. 


118 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


Tappan felt called upon to answer, under liis own 
signature, but in a friendly tone, feeling mucli es¬ 
teem for Mr. McDowall, although he did not approve 
his whole course. This answer was in the New York 
Evangelist of January 26, 1833. 

Me. Leavitt—Deak Sik : Your correspondent, Rev. Mr. 
McDowall, has made some statements respecting the late 
Magdalen Society that require explanation. The assertion 
that the efforts of the society were discontinued because of 
the opposition of the unprincipled, or for want of funds, is 
without foundation. The true cause was the discouraging 
fact that we saw no fruits of our labors, and the conviction 
on our minds that it was a waste of moral effort; that the 
same amount of effort applied as a preventive in the distribu¬ 
tion of tracts, the faithful labors of the tract distributors, the 
temperance effort, etc., would produce unspeakably greater 
results. 

The mismanagement of the asylum, mentioned by Mr. 
McDowall, admits of explanation. It may be sufficient now 
to say, that while he has stated the truth, he has not stated 
the whole truth. When, for instance, he says the females were 
allowed to visit the place of their abode, he omits to inform 
the reader, that it was a mother who went in care of some 
faithful person to try to reclaim a daughter, or a sister to try 
to win a sister, and induce her to enter the asylum, etc. 
That mistakes occurred, I do not deny, but they were never 
sanctioned by the executive committee. Our by-laws were 
good, but they were not in all cases strictly observed by some 
members of the committee. It is not true that we “closed 
the asylum, and turned the females into the street;” and I 
am surprised that Mr. McDowall should make the assertion. 
The care of the females remaining in the asylum was trans¬ 
ferred to a gentleman who had shown a warm interest in 
the cause, and who engaged to carry on the effort on his own 
responsibility. 

I send you a communication from a highly respected 
correspondent, which will throw light on the cause of Mag- 


DEATH OF MR. McDOWALL. 119 


dalen reform, and will point out to the friends of the cause 
the best course for obtaining the desirable end. Your friend, 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

Mr. McDowall made a respectful reply, in which 
he said, that when the efforts were in a languishing 
condition Mr. Tappan “resuscitated the concern;” 
and that “ there is no real contradiction in our sepa¬ 
rate statements.” After a career of arduous and ill- 
requited labor for the good of others, he at length 
sickened and died in poverty, December 13,1836, 
aged 35. His funeral was attended at the Broad¬ 
way Tabernacle by many friends of humanity. A 
sermon was preached by Rev. Joshua Leavitt, then 
editor of the New York Evangelist , which was print¬ 
ed in the paper, and also in pamphlet form. 

Dr. Brown, whose testimony has already been 
borne, and who attended him in his last sickness, 
says: “ His persecutions from the wicked, out of the 
church, gave him very little trouble; but his recent 
trial by his presbytery, and suspension from the 
ministry, was a source of great and indescribable 
anguish of mind. He looked upon it as not only 
cruel to his feelings, but in a high degree unjust, 
and of course unrighteous. His nervous system 
was weakened, his body became prostrate, and he 
rapidly sunk.” 

Several societies for the same avowed purpose 
were formed, but one after another, with but one or 
two exceptions, were soon relinquished; yet Mr. 
McDowall’s labors were not in vain. It is supposed 
that the moral reform efforts, since his death, and 


120 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


continued at the present day, are the result of his 
labors. “The path of the just is as the shining 
light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect 
day.” 

This subject has been dwelt upon at such length 
because it was one • in which Mr. Tappan took a 
deep interest, and for which he suffered much unde¬ 
served censure. The labor he shared with a few 
others, but the expense devolved chiefly upon him. 
He believed that if the ministers and laymen who, 
at one time, stood by Mr. McDowall, had continued 
faithful to the cause; had wisely corrected his mis¬ 
takes, and continued their confidence, vastly more 
good might have been achieved, a noble philan¬ 
thropist saved from a premature death, and a cause 
so eminently entitled to the support of a Christian 
community preserved from even temporary defeat. 
What was wanted, after gaining the moral statistics, 
was a discreet plan of a remedial character, to be 
followed out with persevering energy. Still the seed 
sown has sprung up and borne fruits of righteous¬ 
ness, and Mr. Tappan never regretted the agency he 
had in sowing it. May those who have succeeded, 
emulate his example, and the examples of McDowall 
and Brown, and be, like them, faithful unto death! 

It will come in place here to present some con¬ 
siderations that induced Mr. Tappan to take such a 
strong interest in the subject. He knew that the 
evil was one of great moment, involving both the 
temporal and eternal welfare of men and women, 
especially of the young. He believed also that in- 


DUTY OF PARENTS. 


121 


structions and warnings respecting it were very in¬ 
frequent and indefinite; that parents, school-teach¬ 
ers, and even ministers of the gospel, were very 
remiss in their instructions on this subject. Books 
on such themes are rarely consulted and seldom put 
into the hands of youth, while publications and pic¬ 
tures of a lascivious character are widely diffused by 
youthful associates and the emissaries of the devil. 
The consequences are disastrous. These impure 
publications and pictures are suffered to influence 
and corrupt the young without any sufficient anti¬ 
dotes. Young persons also, in their academical 
studies, pore over the lascivious writings of heathen 
authors without any adequate correctives. They 
indulge impurities hurtful to body, and mind, and 
soul, often without knowing the deleterious effects 
of such transgressions. Having no religious prin¬ 
ciple, they brave the warning of Scripture, and being 
destitute of physiological knowledge, they commit 
“ sins of ignorance,” unaware of the consequences. 

Both nature and revelation teach most important 
truths on the subject, but on parents and teach¬ 
ers devolves the duty of making suitable applica¬ 
tions of such knowledge. Are not parents in duty 
bound to instruct their children fully on matters of 
such vital importance, relying upon God to bless 
their efforts? The aid of the family physician can be 
had, if necessary, and few young persons but would 
be alarmed at the lessons he could give, respecting 
the consequence of yielding to “youthful lusts;” 
the idiocy, insanity, disfigurement of body, and im- 
6 


122 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


becility of mind, often produced. Children can be 
taught that the Creator “ has not made the body for 
uncleanness nor indulgence in sensuality.” 

If parents, by plain teachings from the Bible and 
other books, or by the instrumentality of the family 
physician, discharge their duty faithfully, the hap¬ 
piest results may follow. Is it too much to say, no 
parent has a right to rear a family of children with¬ 
out imparting to them, personally, or by a more 
competent teacher, every thing necessary to be 
known respecting one’s own body, and the danger 
of illicit communication with others. Children at 
an earlier age than is generally supposed, acquire 
pernicious habits that torment them all their days, 
and which might be avoided by instructions early 
and faithfully given. So thought the founders of the 
New York Magdalen Society, in the efforts to oppose 
“the vice of vices.” 

Besides family instruction, Mr. Tappan was fully 
persuaded that pulpit instructions could be present¬ 
ed with effect, on a subject at once so delicate and 
important. A minister, contemporary with him, once 
said: “I can not preach on the seventh command¬ 
ment.” Other clergymen have shirked the duty, 
while some have performed it effectively, and in an 
unexceptionable manner. But parental and pro¬ 
fessional instruction, with the warnings of Scripture, 
are chiefly to be relied upon; and these, it is be¬ 
lieved, will, in most cases, be adequate to accomplish 
the end designed. 

While he considered pkevention the chief object 



MORAL REFORM EFFORTS. 


123 


to be aimed at, as it respects the young and inex¬ 
perienced, he believed that asylums for “ fallen wom¬ 
en,” such as exist at the present time, were worthy 
of confidence and deserving ample support; and it is 
pleasant to be able to state, on the authority of the 
chaplain of one of these excellent institutions, that 
within a few years past, there has been a growing 
interest in the reformation and salvation of the in¬ 
mates. 

He was also in favor of municipal and legislative 
interposition. Crime must be subject to law, and 
receive punishment. When city functionaries, faith¬ 
ful legislators and upright magistrates, perform their 
duty, vice will hide its head, dens of iniquity will be 
broken up, and a moral purification will take place. 
But effectual moral efforts will never be made unless 
the ministry and the church take the lead. Profli¬ 
gate jurors, unprincipled attorneys, and debauched 
judges, can not be relied upon for the prevention 
of crime, or the punishment of transgressors. Chris¬ 
tians, in and out of city councils, and legislative 
halls, must cooperate with virtuous magistrates, in 
reformatory labors. 

Mr. Tappan believed that, as “ an ounce of pre¬ 
vention is worth a pound of cure,” a large propor¬ 
tion of the viciousness of both sexes could be fore¬ 
stalled and prevented by early, faithful, persevering 
instruction and warning; that on religious instruc¬ 
tors rests much of the obligation, but that parents 
are called in providence to discharge a duty in this 
respect to their children that cannot be neglected, 


124 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


nor evaded, without great injury to their offspring, 
and great guilt to themselves. Children, in every 
department of society, are liable to wrong influences, 
and corrupt habits, from the destroyer of souls and 
his emissaries. Pointed instruction, from parents 
and religious teachers, as well as moral education, 
will alone, under God, save the young, amid the 
snares set for them. 

He has given a commandment, that if fully explain¬ 
ed, and set home upon the youthful mind and con¬ 
science, with all the needful explanations, such as fa¬ 
ther and mother can give, and which they are inexcu¬ 
sable if they do not give, may preserve the moral 
purity of children and youth, and thus save families 
and society from untold wretchedness. This subject 
was one upon which Mr. Tappan pondered deeply. 
He knew that he had the Bible on his side, and he 
resolved that, with the aid of the God of the Bible, he 
would do something to awaken the community, and 
arouse parents and guardians, to the consideration 
of saving the tempted, and rescuing the fallen. 

Those Christians and parents who shrink from 
such investigations and exposures, and refuse to at¬ 
tack vice in its strongholds, from false delicacy or 
prudery, have little resemblance to the Master, who 
did not keep himself aloof from the vicious, or apol¬ 
ogize for open and persevering efforts to reclaim 
them. The ungodly and self-righteous of that day 
taunted him for such association with the vicious, 
and they have since that period continued to taunt 
both men and women who boldly enter the den of 


MORAL REFORM EFFORTS. 125 

iniquity to snatch its victims from the roaring lions 
that seek to devour. 

Mr. Tappan received some scratches in his efforts 
of this kind, but he considered them in the light of 
trophies rather* than evidences of defeat. He was 
willing to lend his name, give his money, and con¬ 
tribute personal labor to this cause; and to unite 
with good men and women in such self-denying 
labors. There were some of this class, among his 
own and the other sex, as there always has been, 
who “ despising the shame,” like their divine Lord, 
esteem it an honor to snatch as brands from the fire, 
the unhappy and miserable victims of self-indul¬ 
gence and pollution, and to lend their aid in ex¬ 
posing and bringing to condign punishment flagrant 
offenders. 

His experience in other labors for the reclama¬ 
tion of the wicked, and the punishment of evil-doers, 
had taught him that incipient efforts are often de¬ 
feated, and that final victory sometimes results from 
early discomfitures. In the efforts made for the 
recovery of the licentious he knew also that defeat 
has often attended philanthropic labors; and it 
might be so again. He felt willing, however, to 
make renewed efforts with the best agency at hand, 
believing that even partial failure in a good cause 
was better than inaction when a mighty evil was 
to be assailed; and that good seed, prayerfully 
sown, would spring up and bear fruit. 


126 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


VIII. 

Me. Tappan’s mind had been for a long time di¬ 
rected toward the condition of the people of color, 
and he spared no pains to gain information both as 
to the free and the enslaved. In the course of his 
inquiries he had some correspondence with William 
Wilberfoece. The American Colonization Society 
was then in the ascendency, and its friends claim¬ 
ed to be, par excellence , the friends of the colored 
race. 

Near the close of the year 1816, a meeting was 
called to assemble in Washington City, to form the 
society. Henry Clay presided. The project origi¬ 
nated with slaveholders, although some good men 
from non-slaveholding states, were associated with 
them in the scheme. The ostensible object was 
expressed in the second article of its constitution: 

“The object to which its attention is to be exclu¬ 
sively directed is to promote and execute a plan 
for colonizing (with their consent) the free people 
of color residing in our country, in Africa, or such 
other place , as Congress shall deem most expedi¬ 
ent.” The object in view, therefore, was the re¬ 
moval of the free negroes to Africa, if Congress so 
determined; but to any place out of the United 
States, if it should be deemed preferable by the na¬ 
tional legislature. 

Mr. Tappan, with many other friends of the 


DANIEL WEBSTER’S OPINION. 127 


blacks, was induced to give tlie society a cordial 
support. When, however, it became known to him 
that New England rum, powder and shot, and weap¬ 
ons of war were regularly sent to Liberia by the 
society, and supplied to the colonists, he remon¬ 
strated.* And when he saw that slaves were manu¬ 
mitted on condition that they should be sent to 
Africa, he came to the conclusion that he could no 
longer aid a society that inflicted such an injury 
upon the colonists and the natives of Africa, besides 
trampling upon its own constitution. 

The society, by sending to Africa slaves who 
gave no consent to go there, unless a choice of evils , 
beticeen expatriation and slavery , be called a “ con¬ 
sent,” violated its own constitution, as Mr. Tappan 
believed; and by sending rum, powder, shot and 
guns demoralized both colonists and native Africans. 
Many northern people had been induced to give 
their confidence, their money, and their prayers un¬ 
der the assurance that the Society was missionary 
in its design, and would also tend to the extinction 
of slavery. 

As the society proceeded in its operations, the 
minds of thousands were opened to the design of 
the leaders in the enterprise. Among them was 
Daniel Webster, who, in his palmiest days, in pres¬ 
ence of a committee appointed in Boston to report 
a constitution of a Society to be called the Mas - 
sachusetts Colonization Society , said, “I cannot give 
my sanction to the object, for I see that it origina- 
« See Appendix 4, fov facts. 


128 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


ted in a plan to get rid of the free negroes in order 
to render slavery more secure, and I will have noth¬ 
ing more to do with it.”* 

After the commencement of the anti-slavOry agi¬ 
tation the opposition to the Colonization Society 
increased. Mr. Tappan was applied to from various 
quarters, to know the reason of his withdrawal from 
it. On being applied to by the Anti-slavery Society 
at Andover, Mass., to give his views respecting the 
“American Colonization Society,” he replied in a let¬ 
ter, thus introduced by the secretary to the editor 
of the Liberator: “Theological Seminary, Andover, 
March 29,1833. Mr. Garrison : In the correspond¬ 
ence of the Anti-slavery Society in this seminary, 
the following communication has been received from 
a distinguished philanthropist, which it is presumed 
will be read with interest by the Christian commu¬ 
nity” 

* New York, March 26,1833. 

MR. LEWIS F. LAINE, SECRETARY OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY IN 

THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT ANDOVER : 

Deab Sik : Your communication of the 8tk inst. has re¬ 
mained till now unanswered, in consequence of a press of 
other cares. You ask my opinion of the Colonization Soci¬ 
ety, and suggest the inquiry whether with its present prin¬ 
ciples and character, it is worthy of the patronage of the 
Christian public ? My engagements do not admit of my 
giving an elaborate answer to this inquiry, or explaining at 
length my views of the colonization project. 

® This was said in presence of John Tappan, and other mem¬ 
bers of the committee, who after such a declaration, declined 
reporting a constitution for an auxiliary society in Massachusetts. 
Mr. Webster afterwards made a speech in behalf of the Parent So¬ 
ciety at Washington, 


LETTER TO MR. LAINE. 


129 


When this society was organized, I was one of its warm¬ 
est friends, and anticipated great good from its influence, 
both in Christianizing Africa and abolishing slavery in our 
country. At one time, I had a plan for establishing a line of 
packets between this city and the colony, and for opening a 
trade with the interior of Africa. I also offered to pay one 
thousand dollars to the society, if the one hundred individu¬ 
als, proposed in the plan of Gerrit Smith, could be found in 
one year. I mention these things to show how heartily I 
entered into the scheme. 

The first thing that shook my confidence in the society, 
was the fact that ardent spirits were allowed to be sold at the 
colony, and, as the agents wrote, me from Liberia, in giving 
the assortment suitable to make up an invoice, were consid¬ 
ered indispensable. 

I used- the little influence I had with the society to obtain 
a prohibition of the admission of ardent spirits into the col¬ 
ony ; with what success may be seen in the fact, that no less 
than fourteen hundred barrels of the liquid poison have been 
sold there within a year. 

With my feelings somewhat cooled by the knowledge that 
ardent spirits, tobacco, powder and balls, were leading arti¬ 
cles of trade at the colony, I read with some care the argu¬ 
ments of that distinguished and fearless philanthropist, W. L. 
Garrison, in the Liberator, and was soon led to ask myself 
whether this splendid scheme of benevolence was not a de- 
vice of Satan, to rivet still closer the fetters of the slaves, 
and to deepen the prejudice against the free colored peo¬ 
ple. 

I now believe it is, and that it had its origin in the single 
motive to get rid of the free colored people, that the slaves 
may be held in greater safety. Good men have been drawn 
into it, under the delusive idea that it would break the chains 
of slavery and evangelize Africa; but the day is not far 
distant, I believe, when the society will be regarded in its 
true character, and be deserted by every one, who wishes to 
see a speedy end put to slavery in this land of boasted free¬ 
dom. 

You are at liberty to make what use you please of this 
6 * 


130 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


expression of my sentiments. I rejoice to witness the effort 
that is everywhere making to let the captive go free, and that 
the number is daily increasing of those who are resolved not 
to cease their efforts iff every lawful way to secure to our col¬ 
ored fellow-citizens equal rights with others. 

That your society may be eminently instrumental in dis¬ 
sipating prejudice and pouring light upon the intellect of 
the millions of our countrymen who are held in bondage, is 
the earnest prayer of your fellow laborer, 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

The following letter, published in the New York 
Evangelist of June 29, 1833, is a corroboration of 
the statements made in the preceding letter to Mr. 
Laine: 

Me. Leavitt—Dear Sie : The Colonization Society has 
given a wide circulation to the remarks referred to in the en¬ 
closed communication, and I ask as a favor that you will ad¬ 
mit to your columns my vindication. 

I am truly yours, 

A. T. 

TO REV. R. E. GUKLEY, SECRETARY OP THE AMERICAN COLONIZATION 

SOCIETY : 

In the African Repository for May, I observe some re¬ 
marks accompanying the letter recently addressed by me to 
the Anti-slavery Society in the theological seminary at Ando¬ 
ver. The writer of the remarks makes me say, that because 
ardent spirits are sold at Liberia, I was led to the belief that 
the colony was founded in the single motive to perpetuate 
slavery. I ask if my language will justify this construction ? 
I certainly drew no such inference from such premises , as a 
re-perusal of my letter will satisfy any candid mind. 

The writer of the remarks says, my language would lead 
to the belief that I had received from the agent of the Colo¬ 
nization Society the statement, “that ardent spirits was an 
indispensable article of trade at the colony.” This inference 
is correct. It was from Doctor Randall I had that informa¬ 
tion, as his letter in my possession will show. 


LETTER TO REV. R. R. GURLEY. 131 

It will be incumbent on me to produce my authority for 
the assertion that “fourteen hundred barrels of ardent 
spirits have been sold at the colony in one year,” when the 
society has denied the fact, as they doubtless have the means 
of doing if it is untrue; and when they do deny it, I shall 
show that not half the truth has been told , as I am now enabled 
to state from more recent information. 

It is said I have no authority for the opinion that the Col¬ 
onization Society “is a device of Satan, and owes its exis¬ 
tence to the single motive to perpetuate slavery.” I would 
ask if it is not supposable, that Satan sometimes uses good 
men to promote his purposes ? What else will account for 
the fact that so many of our best men are now “led captive 
at his will ” in the unrighteous prejudice against the colored 
man ? a prejudice that is to be found in this land of boasted 
freedom alone, out of the eight hundred millions that people 
the earth. Yes, let me repeat it, a prejudice that exists in 
this country alone, against the sentiment of the whole world 
besides, and which in the face of heaven we dare to allege as 
a reason why the colored man cannot be elevated in this 
country. What! Shall eight or nine millions of “pale- 
faced” human beings, arrogate to themselves the right to 
trample under foot their fellow-men, because the color of 
their skin is different, when, too, a vast majority of mankind 
is on the side of the colored man ? I ask then if there is no 
reason to believe, that such a prejudice comes, not from God, 
“who made of one blood all the children of men,” but from 
the source I have ascribed to it ? 

I have no intention to impugn the motives of those great 
and good men, Finley, Mills, and others, who it is said first 
conceived the idea of the Colonization Society. But there is 
abundant evidence, that a similar plan had been in agitation 
in the Virginia legislature year after year, before these esti¬ 
mable men broached the subject, and we know that when 
the plan was brought forward by them, it had its chief sup¬ 
port from slave-owners, who have never evidenced the purity 
of their motives by giving freedom to their slaves, a measure 
one would expect naturally to flow from a sincere desire to 
benefit the colored men. 


132 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


Trusting in a sense of justice to obtain for this, admit¬ 
tance into the next Repository , I am with great personal es¬ 
teem, Yours, 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

The demoralizing effects of rum shipped to the 
coast of Africa have not ceased. Mr. Walker of the 
Gaboon Mission, states facts that should crimson 
the faces of all persons who have been instrumental 
in shipping from this country, and pouring upon the 
benighted people of that country, this burning lava. 
His letter “closes with statements which may well 
cause Christians to respond earnestly to the call for 
prayer in behalf of a heathen people, cursed and 
wasted away by the traffic in rum from Christian 
lands; and for the Christian missionary called to 
encounter such evils brought in from his own home, 
and creating a barrier against his success more 
hopelessly impregnable than all the native pagan¬ 
ism, vice, and degradation* of that people.” Mr. 
Walker concludes his letter thus:* 

But Satan is not to be thus defeated, and where the 
foot of the white man has never trod, the fiery stream of 
alcohol rolls and burns, causing waste and^anguish and hor¬ 
rors greater than the middle passage ever witnessed. Some 
people wonder why the coast tribes of Africa waste away and 
disappear. It is no wonder to one who lives here, with his 
eyes open, unless he himself has come within the maelstrom. 
The coast is beleaguered with the hosts of Satan ; and they 
are bold, persistent, untiring, unscrupulous, unmerciful. If 
you wish to know some of the concomitants of the rum trade 
and rum drinking, read Prov. 23 :33. These are our real ob¬ 
stacles. Heathenism is bad, but unmixed it is not impreg¬ 
nable. Nine-tenths of the liquor exported from Liverpool' 

0 Missionary Herald, February, 1870, p. 49. 


THE COLONIZATION SCHEME. 133 


comes to this coast. American traders generally are the 
same. Pray for ns, that there may be found ten righteous 
men here, and that all the people perish not. 

The very facts adduced by friends of the Coloni¬ 
zation Society in support of its claims, and particu¬ 
larly those that were offered to justify the expatria¬ 
tion of the people of color to another land, seemed 
to Mr. Tappan’s mind irresistible to influence him 
and others, to oppose it. “The prejudice against 
the negro is so strong that it cannot be overcome; 
even Christianity cannot overcome it.” This, thought 
he, is a slander against the religion of Jesus. “They 
never can be elevated here to equal rights, and 
will ever be unhappy and miserable while they 
remain among us.” This, if true, thought he, is 
our fault and not theirs. We are bound to remove 
obstacles, give the colored man a chance, offer him 
the right hand of fellowship, do away with oppres¬ 
sive enactments and usages, treat him as a fellow- 
citizen, and fellow-Christian, 7iere, in the land of his 
nativity. Christ died for the colored man as well 
as for the white man. He is no respecter of persons. 
He taught that “a certain man”—a poor slave per¬ 
haps—fell among thieves, who robbed him, and left 
him half dead. A true picture of slavery! 

And we are told that there came down a certain 
priest that way, and when he saw him, he passed by 
on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he was 
at the place, came and looked on him, and also pass¬ 
ed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, 
when he saw him had compassion on him, bound up 


134 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


his wounds, and took care of him. “Which now of 
these three, thinkest thou,” said our Lord, “was 
neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?” The 
answer was, “He that showed mercy on him.” 
Then said Jesus unto him, “Go, and do thou like¬ 
wise.” 

^It behooves us, then, thouglit Mr. Tappan, to act 
the part of the Samaritan toward the poor colored 
man, bond and free; bind up his wounds of body 
and mind, take care of him in his own land, the land 
of his birth; console, relieve, and administer to his 
best good here, rather than among strangers, in a 
s^istant, heathen land. He saw nothing in the para¬ 
ble of the Good Samaritan to justify sending the 
colored man to Africa, to do him good there. 

The Saviour taught that neighbor means any one 
whom we can benefit, by administering to his imme¬ 
diate wants; and the dictionary interprets the word 
to mean “a countryman,” a “fellow-being,” “one 
that needs our help.” The negro, reasoned Mr. 
Tappan, is a fellow-countryman, he needs my help, 
it is for his good, and for the honor of Christianity 
that assistance be afforded him, here and now; and 
hating caste, and loving the Saviour, he shall have 
it so far as it is in my power, with divine aid, to 
give it. 

This subject has been discussed at such length 
because he was once a zealous supporter of the colo¬ 
nization scheme, and abandoned it for wise and good 
reasons, much to the annoyance of his former asso¬ 
ciates, some of whom were never reconciled to the 


COLORED PEOPLE'S ADDRESS. 135 


course lie felt constrained to take, and seized every 
opportunity to oppose the anti-slavery cause, in 
which he heartily engaged when he turned away 
from the Colonization Society. He believed it to 
be, not the friend but the foe of the people of color. 
But he acknowledged that there were individuals 
who continued to cling to that scheme, and were yet 
their friends. He deplored their delusion, but re¬ 
solved on exercising candor, while true to his own 
matured judgment. 

The people of color, from the beginning, had an 
instinctive dislike to the colonization scheme. This 
dislike was not prompted by the originators of the 
anti-slavery reform, as their opposition is dated 
anterior to the agitation of the slavery question. In 
January, 1817, a month or two after the formation 
of the Colonization Society, more than three thou¬ 
sand free people of color assembled in Philadelphia 
to express their views of the society. At this meet¬ 
ing they unanimously replied to the question, “Are 
you willing to accept its offers?” with an emphatic 
NO. They sent forth an address, “ To the humane 
and benevolent inhabitants of the city of Philadel¬ 
phia,” from which the following is an extract: 

We have no wish to separate from our present homes for 
any purpose whatever. Contented with our present situa¬ 
tion and condition, we are not desirous of increasing their 
prosperity but by honest efforts, and by the use of those 
opportunities for then* improvement, which the constitution 
and the laws allow to all. It is, therefore, with painful soli¬ 
citude and sorrowing regret, we have seen a plan for coloni¬ 
zing the free people of color of the United States, on the 
coast of Africa. 


136 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


We humbly, respectfully, and fervently entreat and be¬ 
seech your disapprobation of the plan of colonization now 
offered by the “American Society for colonizing the free 
people of color of the United States.” Here, in the city of 
Philadelphia, where the voice of the suffering sons of Africa 
was first heard ; where was first commenced the work of abo¬ 
lition, on which Heaven has smiled, for it could have success 
only from the great Master; let not a purpose be assisted 
which will stay the cause of the entire abolition of slavery in 
the United States, and which may defeat it altogether ; which 
proffers to those who do not ask for them, benefits, but which 
they consider injuries, and which must insure to the multi¬ 
tudes, whose prayers can only reach you through us, misery, 
sufferings, and perpetual slavery. 

JAMES FORTEN, Chairman. 

Russel Parrott, Secretary. 

Meetings of people of color were lield in most of 
the cities and towns in the United States, at that 
early period, and it was their united and strenuous 
opposition to the expatriation scheme that first 
induced William Lloyd Garrison and others to 
oppose it. 

No wonder that such an appeal, when it became 
known to Arthur Tappan, and when he became per¬ 
sonally acquainted with the leading men who had 
adopted it, touched his keenest sensibilities, and 
attached him more strongly to his oppressed fellow- 
men. In company with his friend, Mr. Jocelyn, he 
visited Philadelphia, and had interviews with Mr. 
James Forten, and other intelligent and influential 
men of color. Their industry, thrift and respecta¬ 
bility deeply impressed him, and he fully sympa¬ 
thized with them in their distrust of a society, com¬ 
posed largely of slaveholders, that aimed at their 


LIBEL ON CHRISTIANITY. 137 

removal from the land of their birth and affections 
to a heathen land. 

This feeling was intensified as the sentiments of 
influential colonizationists were promulgated, from 
time to time. In the Fifteenth Annual Report of 
the American Colonization Society , the managers 
say: “ Causes beyond the control of the human luill 
must prevent their ever rising to equality with the 
whites.” “The managers consider it clear, that 
causes exist, and are operating, to prevent their 
improvement and elevation to any considerable 
extent, as a class, in this country, which are fixed, 
not only beyond the control of the friends of human¬ 
ity, BUT OF ANY human POWER. Christianity cannot 
do for them here, wdiat it will do for them in Africa. 
This is not the fault of the colored maji, nor of the 
white man, nor of Christianity; but it is an ordina¬ 
tion of Providence, and no more to be changed than 
the laws of nature .” 

No wonder that abolitionists, the world over, 
rejected such atrocious sentiments. English philan¬ 
thropists, as well as American, uttered their con¬ 
demnation of them. “No one,” said Judge William 
Jay, “surely need to blush at acknowledging that he 
htts been deceived in the society, since Wilberforce 
placed his name at the head of a protest against it. 
The following is an extract from this protest: ‘We 
must be understood utterly to repudiate the prin¬ 
ciples of the American Colonization Society.’” 

It will be in place here to insert a most eloquent 
appeal on behalf of the much abused people of color, 


•138 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


by one of their own number, the late Bev. Peter 
Williams, rector of St. Philip’s church, New York: 
“We are natives of this country; we ask only to be 
treated as well as foreigners. Not a few of our 
fathers suffered and bled to purchase its indepen¬ 
dence. We ask only to be treated as well as those 
who fought against it. We have toiled to cultivate 
it, and to raise it to its present prosperous condition. 
We ask only to share equal privileges with those 
who come from distant lands to enjoy the fruits of 
our labor.” 

Mr. Williams, during the mob violence in the 
city of New York, was the leading minister of the 
gospel among his people, and also a member of the 
executive committee of the American Anti-slavery 
Society. He was required by the bishop of the dio- 
cess, Mr. Onderdonk, to renounce his connection 
with it. Such a command pained the heart of the 
good man, and he would have refused compliance, 
but the influences employed were too powerful for 
him to withstand. He submitted, and prepared an 
apology to be submitted to his anti-slavery friends, 
in which, while obeying the order of his spiritual 
chief, he expressed his opinions, modestly but firmly, 
of the anti-slavery cause. This apology he left with 
his ecclesiastical superior, who undertook to alter 
it by expunging several sentences, and then causing 
it to be published without consulting Mr. Williams! 
The aggrieved man of God keenly felt the outrage, 
but deemed himself bound by his ordination vows 
to submit in silence. 


AMERICANS CALLED AFRICANS. 139 

It appears necessary to express such views of 
the colonization scheme because, even at this day, 
ignorant black people are persuaded that Africa is 
their natural home, that they will never have their 
rights in this country, etc.; and their consent is 
gained to be shipped off to a distant land, where the 
advantages for successful labor and education are 
far inferior to what they are in the United States. 
And this, when there is such a demand for labor at 
the South, and colored men of good capacity are 
elected to the judicial bench, to state legislatures, 
and even to Congress! 

While we write, a report is published in one of 
the daily papers, of a public meeting on Brooklyn 
heights, at a church (St. Ann’s) on the evening of 
the Lord’s day, in which one of the speakers uses 
the following language: “In the United States, with 
ten to one against them, the blacks must ultimately 
be crushed by and give way before the whites in the 
great struggle of life.” And the audience, in a 
Christian church, are invited to lend their influence, 
and contribute their means, and thus to fulfil this 
unchristian prophecy. The speaker said, that “ those 
who were willing might go to Liberia, where they 
would become agents in the grand work of civilizing 
Africa.” If thus capable they should by all means 
be retained in this country to teach the first princi¬ 
ples of Christianity to those, who yielding to an 
unchristian prejudice, would expatriate them. Mr. 
Tappan contended zealously for the extinction of 
this prejudice to his dying day, and it is fit that a 


140 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


remonstrance against such a perversion of Christian 
benevolence should accompany this tribute to his 
memory. 

It is sometimes asked, “Have not the colored 
people the same right to emigrate to Africa that 
other persons have to emigrate to any part of the 
world they choose?” The answer is, certainly they 
have. Abolitionists, and intelligent free people of 
color, oppose the Colonization Society because it 
was directed by slaveholders and their alhes, not to 
benefit the blacks, but to get rid of them, or for the 
double motive in some cases; and it is a matter of 
history that very few, if any colonizationists, then 
or since, have labored for the extinction of slavery. 

Slavery being abolished, and the full rights of 
citizenship secured to the people of color, the ques¬ 
tion now is, ought or ought not the colonization 
scheme to be encouraged ? As already conceded, 
colored men have the right to go where they please, 
and white men have a right to help them to emi- 



.11 this is allowed. But no individual or 


society has a moral right to inculcate the impos¬ 
sibility of people of color rising here as well as 
abroad. Such sentiments are anti-republican and 
unchristian; particularly when the rights of colored 
men, to their fullest extent, have been recognized 
by the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of 
the United States. 

Is it not worthy of the most serious considera¬ 
tion of all truly benevolent and Christian men 
whether it is consistent with the principles of our 


ABDUAL EAHAMAN. 


141 


goyernment and of Christianity to encourage the 
emigration of any citizen to a foreign land, especial¬ 
ly to a heathen land, who is not a person of moral 
and Christian principles, and who emigrates to do 
good. Mr. Tappan, in his mature life, believed it 
was wrong to encourage the emigration of persons 
who went from selfish motives, whose principles and 
habits were unworthy of imitation, and who them¬ 
selves needed the restraints of moral and religious 
institutions, instead of being models for the imita¬ 
tion of those less favored than themselves. He felt 
that encouragement to emigrate should be held out 
to those, and those only who desired to go with a 
missionary spirit. Was he not right? 

Mr. Tappan had no objection, of course, to the 
emigration of deserving men of color to Africa, 
though he did object strongly to the coercive sys¬ 
tem, direct or implied; and thought it against the 
genius of Christianity to encourage men who were 
destitute of religious principles, and especially if 
destitute of common morality, in going from a Chris¬ 
tian to a heathen or semi-heathen land. 

Among those he aided to return to their native 
shores was an African named Abdual Bahaman, a 
son of one of the native kings. He had been cap¬ 
tured in war by a neighboring tribe; sold by his 
captors to slavetraders; and by them brought to 
New Orleans. After living a slave at Natchez, Mis¬ 
sissippi, forty years, he was recognized by a sur¬ 
geon in the United States’ navy. 

The surgeon had been attached to a United 


142 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


States man-of-war off the coast of Africa, and hav¬ 
ing gone ashore to hunt, was left by the ship. He 
lodged one night at the house of Abdual’s father, 
and on seeing the son at Natchez, he made interest 
with influential persons on his behalf. He was 
bought of his master with a view to send him to 
Liberia, as it was thought he could be of great ser¬ 
vice to the colonists by influencing his countrymen 
to befriend them. 

He came to Boston, where through Mr. Charles 
Tappan’s exertions, a considerable sum was raised 
in Massachusetts for his benefit. He recommended 
him to his brother Arthur in New York, who, in con¬ 
junction with other friends, paid a large sum to 
redeem Abdual’s wife and children from slavery. 
The whole family embarked for Liberia, with a num¬ 
ber of other emigrants. Abdual died in six weeks 
after his arrival, and half of the number of emigrants 
met within the time the same fate. 

Abdual Rahaman was a Mohammedan, of Moor¬ 
ish extraction, well educated, tall and dignified in his 
appearance, and read the Arabic language fluently, 
and wrote it with elegance. His princely bearing, 
and intelligence excited much interest, wherever he 
went, and contributed to increase the indignation 
felt for the cruel system of slavery. 


AFRICAN IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. 143 


IX. 

After ceasing to feel an interest in the Coloni¬ 
zation Society, Mr. Tappan applied himself more 
than before to the improvement of the people of 
color in their own country. He inquired into their 
condition and wants, and took pleasure in aiding 
them in all ways consistent with their best good. 
He was especially desirous of promoting their intel¬ 
lectual and moral elevation. To this end he spared 
no expense of time or money. Whatever plans of 
usefulness were suggested he investigated, and aided, 
so far as they appeared judicious. 

After purchasing a house in New Haven for a 
family residence, and being there almost weekly 
himself, he formed an acquaintance with Rev. Sim¬ 
eon S. Jocelyn, who was minister of a congrega¬ 
tion of colored people in that city, and his friend¬ 
ship and intimacy continued with this devoted friend 
of theirs during his whole life. With him he ascer¬ 
tained the condition of the colored people in New 
Haven and elsewhere, and they united in devising 
plans for their benefit. 

He learned that a society had been formed at 
New Haven, called the “African Improvement So¬ 
ciety,” in which several prominent Christian ladies 
took a deep interest, and he gladly cooperated 
with them, and the advisory committee of gentle¬ 
men, in carrying forward its plans of usefulness. It 


144 


AETHUE TAPPAN. 


was his practice, as opportunity offered, to attend 
the meetings of the colored people, to counsel them, 
express his sympathy with them in their trials and 
privations, and to manifest that he discarded, both 
in sentiment and practice, the hateful caste feeling 
that so extensively prevailed in the country, and in 
no part of it more than in Connecticut. At the 
same time he aimed to be discreet in his deport¬ 
ment, and thus avoid all reasonable censure. He 
knew that the prejudice against the colored people 
was vincible, but at the same time he realized that 
it was deep-rooted, and must be removed, not by 
extreme measures, but by their gradual elevation. 

— Believing fully in the equality of all men in the 
sight of God, as laid down in the Scriptures, and in 
the Declaration of Independence, it was his earnest* 
desire to show that he regarded the colored man as 
a fellow-citizen; and to treat him as he would a 
white man in the various walks of life. This course 
of action he believed was consonant with the prin¬ 
ciples of our republican government, and the pre¬ 
cepts of Christ. The contrary course he believed 
to be cruel as well as dishonorary to Christianity 
and insulting to the Creator; so contrary to the 
principles of the gospel that it is a marvel that it* 
any where exists in lands called Christian. It is 
also so opposite to the spirit of republicanism that 
foreigners are greatly surprised that it prevails in a 
country where the doctrine of equality of all men 
before the law lies at the foundation of the govern- 
\ ment. 


TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 


145 


God lias made of one blood all men, black and 
white; and Christ has died for all, and offers salva¬ 
tion to bond and free, Jew and Gentile. He has 
provided mansions in heaven for all true believers; 
and shall man, in his egotism and pride, spurn his 
colored brother, like himself made in the image of 
God, and invited to a glorious immortality ? Espe¬ 
cially is it befitting those who think they have been 
redeemed by the atoning blood of the Saviour to set 
at naught, or stand apart from those who are made, 
by the all-wise Father of all, of a different complex¬ 
ion from themselves? Such a prejudice is enough 
to make angels weep! 

He believed also that the total abolition of the 
caste feeling is for the welfare of the whole commu¬ 
nity, white and colored. Thus judging he deter¬ 
mined to evince by his whole deportment that he 
despised caste, and was the friend and brother of 
all men without distinction of complexion or condi¬ 
tion. To those who objected to this course, and to 
all who opposed it, he could say: “Whether it be 
right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more 
than unto God, judge ye.” 

He was fully impressed with the importance of 
parents so training their children, that they will 
grow up with kind feelings toward the poor, and 
especially toward those whose complexions expose 
them to the insults of coarse-minded and hard-_ 
hearted persons. For the harmony of society, and 
the welfare of the whole people, it seems important 
that great forbearance should be exercised on the 
7 ' 


146 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


part of the rich toward the poor, and the laboring 
classes toward each other, irrespective of condition 
\_pr complexion. It is all-important also that, now 
the people of fcolor are invested with all the privi¬ 
leges of citizenship, and of course brought into 
closer affinities, hostilities of every kind should come 
to an end. 

If, as children, they are not allowed to meet in 
the same week-day and Sabbath schools, and en¬ 
couraged by parents and teachers to behave kindly 
to each other, how, as men, will they be able to meet 
at the polls, sit on juries, attend political meetings, 
practise at the bar, unite in processions, and mingle 
with their fellow-men in the various walks of life, on 
equal terms, as the religion of Jesus, and the laws of 
the land require ? 

A convention of people of color was held in Phil¬ 
adelphia in 1831, of delegates from several states, 
to consult upon the common interest. It was nume¬ 
rously attended, and the proceedings were conducted 
with much ability. A resolution was adopted that 
it is expedient to establish a collegiate school, on 
the manual labor system. Soon after, a committee 
appointed for the purpose made an appeal to the 
benevolent, in which they stated the disadvantages 
under which their sons and daughters were placed, 
in not being able to gain admission into seminaries 
of learning, or in mechanical establishments; the 
strong desire felt for their education, and the neces¬ 
sity that existed for such a school. They also sug¬ 
gested that New Haven, Connecticut, would be a 


CONVENTION AT PHILADELPHIA. 147 


suitable place for its location. Mr. Tappan who had 
given much attention to the subject, expressed his 
satisfaction in view of the laudable enterprise, and 
promised substantial aid, while Mr. Jocelyn and 
other friends of the colored people cooperated with 
him in devising a plan for carrying out the desired 
object. 

It was supposed that a favorable impression had 
been made at New Haven, with regard to the eleva¬ 
tion of the people of color, and that the officers of 
Tale College, and influential citizens would not 
oppose, but rather aid the project. Benjamin Lundy 
had been there, and had addressed the members of 
the Legislature of Connecticut in the statehouse 
on the importance of educating the blacks, and his 
address had been very favorably received.* A book¬ 
seller in the city had published an edition of a 
pamphlet by Charles Stuart, on the beneficent 
results of emancipation in the West Indies, at the 
request of Mr. Tappan, and chiefly at his expense, a 
large part of which had been circulated.f The im¬ 
pression on the public mind seemed to be good. 

* Tliis unostentatious and meritorious man died in August, 
1839, at Hennepin, Illinois. A western paper said of him, “The 
pioneer editor of the anti-slavery enterprise has gone to his rest.” 
In General Wilson’s article in the Atlantic Monthly, February, 
1870, p. 243, commemorative of Edwin M. Stanton, it is said: 
“Benjamin Lundy, the early abolitionist, was a frequent visitor at 
his father’s house, and Mr. Stanton once told me that he had often 
sat upon that devoted philanthropist’s knee when a child, and 
listened to his words.” 

f A world-wide philanthropist, and outspoken Christian. He 
was an Englishman by birth, and long a captain in the British 
East India service, from which, at the period alluded to, he had 


148 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


Mr. Tappan, therefore, after causing inquiry to 
be made of some of the professors, and other lead¬ 
ing individuals, united with Mr. Jocelyn and other 
persons friendly to the enterprise in projecting a 
college or high school, for colored youth. It was 
believed that some of the professors would give them 
the benefit of their lectures. It was supposed, also, 
that young men of color might come from various 
parts of the country, and from the British Islands, 
and avail themselves of the opportunity to acquire 
a solid education. Mr. Tappan purchased several 
acres of land, in the southerly part of the city, and 
made arrangements for the erection of a suitable 
building, and furnishing it with needful supplies, in 
a way to do honor, to the city and country. His 
heart was full of the subject, and personally and by 
letters he invited the aid of other friends of the col¬ 
ored people, and urged forward the undertaking 
with his accustomed zeal and liberality. 

To his great regret, and that of his associates, 
the people of New Haven, became violently agitated 
in opposition to the plan. Misrepresentations were 
made of the designs of the founders, fears were 
expressed that both city and college would suffer 
injury, if the scheme was prosecuted. “ The whole 

retired on half pay. During a series of years he lectured on the 
anti-slavery subject, and other moral reforms, in England and the 
United States, with disinterested zeal and fearlessness, giving his 
time and money for the promotion of benevolent enterprises. He 
died in Canada, at an advanced age, having been promoted to be 
a major in the British army. He might appropriately have adopt¬ 
ed the motto of Franklin: “Where liberty dwells, there is my 
country.” 


VIOLENT OPPOSITION. 


149 


city was filled with confusion.” The people had 
heard of Mr. Tappan’s supposed wealth and gener¬ 
osity, of his determination to carry forward favorite 
plans at all events, and seemed to fear that the city 
would be overrun with negroes from all parts of 
the world. There were not wanting persons to in¬ 
flame the public mind. “A negro college by the 
side of Yale College!” “ The City of Elms disgraced 
for ever!” “ It must not and shall not be!” Such 

was the popular cry. 

Even persons of calm judgment and philan¬ 
thropic views on most subjects, were carried away 
by the clamor. They seemed to imagine that the 
success of the enterprise would be a stain upon 
the city, injure its business and bring a stigma upon 
Yale College. A panic seemed to have seized the 
minds of the people, and it was decided to have a 
public meeting of the citizens to take into consider¬ 
ation the project of establishing the “odious insti¬ 
tution,” and expressing their views upon it. Ac¬ 
cordingly the mayor of the city summoned a meet¬ 
ing to be held on the 8th of September. There was 
great excitement. Mr. Jocelyn calmly stated the 
facts and corrected some of the many misrepresen¬ 
tations. But very few of those supposed to be 
favorable to the enterprise, came forward in this 
exigency to sustain it. Mr. Tappan was in New 
York, and of course not present at the meeting. 
The opposers of the measure rallied in strong force 
and were vociferous in opposition. Several of them 
belonged to the legal profession, and by their in- 


150 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


flammatory speeches, added greatly to the excite¬ 
ment. 

But there were a few who did not qnail before 
the storm. One of these noble spirits was a native of 
Virginia,* who had been educated at New Haven, and 
lifted up his voice in favor of giving colored youth 
a chance to acquire an education in the “land of 
steady habits,” and with great manliness, as a lover 
of universal education, avowed his belief in the 
brotherhood of man according to the Scriptures. A 
distinguished lawyer,t a native of the city, came to 
his support, and the support of Mr. Jocelyn, and 
in a speech of much force defended the right of the 
friends of the people of color to establish a school 
for their benefit wherever they chose; repudiated 
the notion that such a school would be injurious 
to the city or the college; and lamented the ex¬ 
citement and the opposition to what he deemed a 
praiseworthy undertaking. But it was all in vain! 
The following resolution was submitted for adop¬ 
tion, and was passed by nearly a unanimous vote: 

Resolved ,, by the Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council, 
and freemen of the city of New Haven, in city meeting as¬ 
sembled, that we will resist the establishment of the proposed 
college in this place, by every lawful means. 

In view of the unexpected hostility to the meas¬ 
ure, Mr. Tappan and its other friends abandoned 

© Mr. James Donaghe, now a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y. 

f Roger S. Baldwin, Esq., afterwards the defender of the 
“Amistad Africans,” Governor of Connecticut, and Senator in 
Congress, who, from conviction and hereditary proclivities, was ever 
the friend and advocate of the colored man. 


IMPROVED FEELING. 


151 


it. They published in the New Haven Journal a 
full account of the proceedings, with a remonstrance 
against the action of the city meeting, the dishon¬ 
orable caste and pro-slavery subserviency mani¬ 
fested by the leaders of the opposition; and an 
appeal to the Christian and honorable feeling that 
should exist in the community. They had the sat¬ 
isfaction to know that the appeal met the approba¬ 
tion of not a few in New Haven, and in other parts 
of the country. Many persons attributed the oppo¬ 
sition of the people of New Haven to the education 
of the people of color, to the prevalence of coloniza¬ 
tion sentiments. It was thought to be against the 
policy of colonizationists to favor their elevation in 
this country. It was the opinion of Judge Jay, 
that “ the colonization party in New Haven could 
have prevented this high-handed oppression, but 
their influence was exerted not for, but against the 
improvement and elevation of their colored breth¬ 
ren.”* However this may be, the prevalence of 
caste has been very great, and exists at the present 
day, when happily slavery is abolished. 

An improved state of feeling, however, com¬ 
menced soon after the action of the “Common Coun¬ 
cil and freemen of the city of New Haven.” A dis¬ 
tinguished professor in Yale College, within a year 
or two, publicly expressed sentiments in favor of the 
elevation of the colored people, and we have reason 
to believe uttered the sentiments of others in the 

o See “ Miscellaneous "Writings on Slavery,” by William Jay, p. 
32. 


152 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


faculty of the college and in the city. He said : “It 
is delightful to see so many of our colored people 
living in neat and comfortable dwellings furnished 
in decent taste, and sufficient fulness: thus indica¬ 
ting sobriety, industry, and self-respect—to see their 
children in clean attire, hastening of a Sabbath 
morning to the Sunday-school; and other days, 
with cheerful intelligent faces, seeking the common 
school.”* At a subsequent period, when the “Ami- 
stad Africans ” were incarcerated in the New Haven 
jail, many of the inhabitants, including officers of 
Yale College, did all in their power for the protec¬ 
tion and education of the hapless strangers. 

The triumph of prejudice and unchristian feeling 
toward the people of color at New Haven, had, as 
might have been expected, an unhappy influence 
in other parts of the state. Miss Prudence Cran¬ 
dall, a member of the Baptist church, had a female 
boarding-school at Canterbury, Conn. A pious col¬ 
ored young woman applied to her for admission, 
stating that she wanted to get a little more learn¬ 
ing-enough, if possible, to teach colored chil¬ 
dren. Miss Crandall received her. The parents of 
the white pupils were displeased, and insisted that 
the colored pupil should be dismissed. But the in¬ 
habitants of Canterbury made the greatest opposi¬ 
tion. They were led on by a few distinguished in¬ 
dividuals in the place, among whom was a promi¬ 
nent lawyer, who then and afterwards attained to 

0 See remarks of Professor Silliman, Senior, in “African Re¬ 
pository” of 1832, p. 184. 


MISS PEUDENCE CEANDALL. 


153 


an unenviable notoriety * Miss Crandall pondered 
the subject, reflecting with pain upon the disabili¬ 
ties to which colored youth throughout the country 
were subjected, and, with a disinterestedness and 
heroism that entitle her to universal commenda¬ 
tion, determined not to accede to the demand. But 
finding that the feeling was very strong against the 
admission of colored persons into schools of white 
persons, she resolved to open a school exclusively for 
colored girls. She made the announcement. This 
notice, instead of allaying, increased the commotion 
in the Canterbury community. 

Among those who took part in befriending Miss 
Crandall was Rev. Samuel J. May, son of Col. May, 
already mentioned as the gentleman with whom Mr. 
Tappan boarded in Boston during his clerkship, (the 
worthy son of such a father,) who resided in a neigh¬ 
boring town. The friendship manifested by Mr. 
May came to the knowledge of Mr. Tappan, who 
was in no wise disheartened by the recent discom¬ 
fiture at New Haven. On the contrary it inspired 
him with new zeal on behalf of the much wronged 
people for whose improvement he felt so great a 
solicitude. He wrote to Mr. May to encourage and 
aid him. Mr. May’s narrative is so full and inter- 

® Andrew T. Judson, Esq., is the person alluded to. He man¬ 
ifested an exceedingly wrong spirit at the time and afterwards; 
but as a judge of the United States district court subsequently, 
although not evincing much legal acumen or judicial ability, he 
presided during the trial of the “ Amistad Africans” in a way to 
secure the respect of their friends, while he disappointed the 
expectations of his political partisans at the seat of government 
and elsewhere. 


7* 


154 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


esting with respect to the part Mr. Tappan took in 
the matter, that it is inserted at length, and is hon¬ 
orable not only to Mr. Tappan but to the benevo¬ 
lent narrator: 

A TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF ARTHUR TAPPAN.« 

BY EEV. SAMUEIi J. MAY. 

Syracuse, July 26,1865. 

The tidings of Mr. Tappan’s death, just received, have 
set my bosom aglow with the feelings of respect and grati¬ 
tude to him that have long been cherished there. I have 
known that most excellent man from my childhood; and 
most of my memories of his good deeds are the same that all 
must have who have been acquainted with his large and wise 
beneficence for the last fifty years and more. But there is 
one of his philanthropic acts that would have been known 
to none on earth excepting him and myself, unless I had 
sometimes privately told of it. And now that he has gone 
from us, it is due to his unostentatious charity that this act 
should be recorded upon the public memory. 

Many of your readers may have heard of the Canterbury 
school for colored girls; but none of them probably know how 
much Mr. Tappan did to uphold that truly Christian enter¬ 
prise, and defend it against the malignant assaults of its ene¬ 
mies. I wish I had an opportunity to tell you, and all who 
love fidelity to principle, how naturally, how providentially 
Miss Prudence Crandall was led, in the spring of 1833, to 
open her boarding-school to the daughters of colored people, 
as well as others; how cruelly she was persecuted, and 
shamefully traduced; how patiently she bore her trials; how 
courageously she persisted in her endeavor to maintain the 
position she knew it was her duty to take; and how fully 
she was justified by the decision of the highest tribunal of 
the state of Connecticut. But the story is too long to be 
recited here. I have taken my pen only to tell you what Mr. 
Arthur Tappan did to strengthen the hands and encourage 
the heart of that noble woman. 

° From the New York Independent. 


MR. MAY’S STATEMENT. 


155 


Of course, as I lived in an adjoining town; and there was 
not a man in Canterbury who would lift a finger in her de¬ 
fence, I could not refuse to proffer Miss Crandall such assist¬ 
ance as I might be able to give. She made me her attorney ; 
and I went to a town meeting to speak in her behalf, and to 
suggest such a course as I thought should have been satis¬ 
factory to her neighbors, without involving any sacrifice of 
principle on her part. But they would not hear me. They 
shut their ears, and rushed upon me with threats of personal 
violence. 

There being no law of the state against which she had 
offended, her persecutors, by their personal and political 
influence and intrigue, succeeding in persuading the legisla¬ 
ture of Connecticut, then in session, to pass an act making 
it a penal offence, punishable by fine and imprisonment, for 
any one in that state keeping a school to take as his or her 
pupils the children of colored people of other states. 

Knowing this law to be unconstitutional as well as im¬ 
moral, I advised Miss Crandall to disregard it. She did so, 
was arrested, examined before a justice of the peace, bound 
over for trial, and committed to jail. Thus I found myself, 
as her adviser and attorney, involved in a legal conflict with 
the town of Canterbury that promised to be a protracted one, 
and would probably be very expensive. But already the 
affair was noised abroad, and had become the subject of 
much newspaper comment; and I had received letters from 
several of my anti-slavery friends, assuring me of their sym¬ 
pathy, and encouraging me to maintain the ground I had 
taken. 

Better than all, a letter had come to me from Mr. Arthur 
Tappan, whom I had not then seen for ten years, and from 
whom I was widely separated by our theological differences— 
a letter in which he expressed his joy that I had espoused 
Miss Crandall’s cause ; his clear perception of the importance 
of the principles involved in her case ; his earnest hope that 
I should not be dismayed by the multitude or the strength of 
those who had risen, or might rise, up against me; and add¬ 
ed, * ‘ But I am aware, sir, that you can ill afford to bear the 
expenses of the contest you have dared. In this respect I 


156 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


am happily able to help you, and shall consider it a duty and 
a privilege so to do. I wish you to consider me your banker, 
assured that I will honor promptly your drafts. Keep your 
accounts carefully, and let me know whenever you need any 
money. Spare no necessary expense; employ the best legal 
counsel; and let this great question be fully tried, not doubt¬ 
ing that, under the good providence of a righteous God, 
the true and the right will ultimately prevail. ” 

Thus supported by one of the wealthiest as well as one of 
the best men in the land, I assure you I felt equal to what I 
had undertaken. But I soon found I had not duly estimated 
the strength, the artifice, or the malignity of my opposers. 
The Democrats were bitterly hostile, and the Whigs did not 
venture to show me any favor. The newspapers of the 
county, and of the adjoining counties, teemed with the gross¬ 
est misrepresentations, and the vilest insinuations against 
Miss Crandall, her pupils, and her patrons; but, for the 
most part, peremptorily refused us any room in their col¬ 
umns to explain our principles and purposes, or to refute 
the slanders they were circulating. Thus excluded from the 
audience of the public, I found myself becoming an object 
of general distrust, and perceived that I was losing my hold 
upon the confidence of the few who had ventured to give me 
any support. I kept Mr. Tappan duly informed of every 
thing that occurred having any important bearing upon the 
controversy in which he was my strong tower. Especially 
did I set before him my bad predicament—the disadvantage 
at which I was contending for the right—inasmuch as my 
adversaries wielded several newspaper presses incessantly 
against Miss Crandall’s school, and the others would not 
venture to defend it. I added in one of my letters, “Oh, 
that I could leave my post long enough to come and spend 
one hour with you, that I might get the advice from you 
which I so much need.” 

On the morning of the third or fourth day afterward, as 
soon as it was practicable for him to come, the door of my 
study was opened quietly, and in walked Mr. Tappan. He 
had left all his then immense business in New York, and 
hastened to me, that he might the better judge, after a per- 


MR. MAY’S STATEMENT. 


157 


sonal survey of the field, what ought to be done. I never 
grasped a human hand with more joy and gratitude. He sat 
in conversation with me a couple of hours, and possessed 
himself of all the information I could give him in the prem¬ 
ises. He then rode to Canterbury, six miles from my house 
in Brooklyn, that he might see Miss Crandall; satisfy him¬ 
self that she was all that I had represented her to be; and 
give her renewed assurances that, as far as his sympathy, per¬ 
sonal influence, and wealth (which then was very great) could 
aid her, she should not want help and protection. In about 
three hours he returned to my study, very much gratified by 
what he had seen of the Canterbury school, and its devoted 
teacher. He had also learned still more than I had been 
able to tell him of the persecutions and annoyances to which 
that excellent young lady was continually subjected. 

After a few minutes, he said to me, in his quiet, subdued 
manner : “I believe I now fully understand ‘the bad predic¬ 
ament ’ of which you wrote to me in your last. It is even 
worse than I supposed. You must start a newspaper as soon 
as possible, that you may disabuse the public mind of the 
misrepresentations and falsehoods with which it has been 
filled. Scatter the numbers of your paper broadcast over 
the community. Get all the subscribers you can, and I will 
pay all the expenses you may incur more than the income 
you receive from subscribers and advertising patrons.” 

I w*as elated at the prospect thus opened to me of a speedy 
deliverance. I informed him that fortunately there was then 
in town a press with types and other necessaries that had 
been, a few days before, abandoned by the proprietors of an 
unsuccessful newspaper. “We must have it, ” was his prompt 
but calm reply. “Let us go immediately and secure it.” 
Forthwith we started, walked to the village, found the per¬ 
son who had the disposal of the abandoned printing office, 
and engaged it for a year. The next week a new paper 
called The Unionist appeared, under the very able editor¬ 
ship of Mr. Charles C. Burleigh. It was conducted with so 
much spirit and power by him, and afterwards by his broth¬ 
er, Mr. William H. Burleigh, that it rendered us essential 
service, and helped, no doubt, to make Windham county the 


158 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


most anti-slavery county of the state of Connecticut. Four 
or five different trials were had of the case, which her perse¬ 
cutors attempted to make against Miss Crandall, for the 
crime of keeping a boarding school for colored girls. The 
first came off before a justice of the peace in Canterbury, in 
May, 1833, and resulted in her committal to the jail in Brook¬ 
lyn. The last she had before the “supreme court of errors ” 
of the state of Connecticut, at Brooklyn, in the month of 
July, 1834, and resulted in her favor. The Hon. William 
W. Ellsworth, of Hartford, and the Hon. Calvin Goddard, of 
Norwich, were her counsel.* They exerted themselves gen¬ 
erously in her behalf, and refused to receive any thing more 
than the retaining fee, of $50 each, which I sent them in the 
beginning. Nevertheless, the other expenses, the fees of 
minor lawyers, the costs of court, etc., added to the expenses 
incidental to the establishment of The Unionist , amounted in 
all to over six hundred dollars, which Mr. Tappan promptly 
paid. This is but one of the almost countless acts of gener¬ 
osity which illustrated all the prosperous portion of his life. 
It was not by any means the greatest. But you will not 
wonder that I remember it with especial thankfulness; nor 
refuse a place in your columns, that I may record it to be 
remembered and admired by the thousands of your readers. 

Mr. Tappan undiscouraged by opposition, de¬ 
voted his time to other efforts for the improvement 
of the colored people. He was one of the orig¬ 
inators of the “Phoenix Society,” in New York, 
formed in 1833, and composed of young people, 
chiefly colored young men. The president of the 
society was Rev. Christopher Rush, afterwards 
bishop in the Zion connection of colored Methodists, 
a most estimable man. Rev. Samuel E. Cornish was 
the agent of the society, his salary being paid by 
Mr. Tappan, who was treasurer, and bore a large 
part of the expenses of the library, hall, etc. He 
* Henry Strong, Esq., was also associated with them. 


THE PHCENIX SOCIETY. 


159 


was a frequent visitor to the library and teachers’ 
rooms. It was a high gratification! to him to assist 
the young men in their laudable efforts to acquire 
education, and prepare themselves for usefulness in 
the community. There was a board of directors 
composed of both white and colored persons. 

The object of the society was to promote the 
improvement of the colored people in morals, litera¬ 
ture, and the mechanic arts. In a circular of the 
officers it was stated that “the society is made up of 
no particular sect or party. It is designed to be the 
goal of the entire colored population, and of their 
friends, in New York cityand it was also stated: 
“It is obvious that no foundation of society can be 
strong without more virtue, and that the arts which 
are essential to universal industry, are to be promo¬ 
ted as the means of wealth and domestic comfort. 
A spirit of improvement is now moving the colored 
people in various places to secure for themselves 
and their children advantages which they have here¬ 
tofore but partially enjoyed.” 

There were to be “ward societies” in the city, 
and the aims were so laudable, and were set forth 
in terms so interesting, that they could not but claim 
respect. 

This society will aim to accomplish the following ob¬ 
jects : To visit every family in the ward, and make a register 
of every colored person in it—their name, sex, age, occupa¬ 
tion, if they read, write, and cipher—to invite them, old and 
young, and of both sexes, to become members of this society, 
and to make quarterly payments according to their ability— 
to get the children out to infant, Sabbath, and week schools, 


160 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


and induce tlie adults also to attend school and church on the 
Sabbath—to encourage the women to form Dorcas societies 
to help to clothe poor children of color if they will attend 
school, the clothes to be loaned, and to be taken away from 
them if they neglect their schools; and to impress on their 
parents the importance of having the children punctual and 
regular in their attendance at school—to establish mental 
feasts, and also lyceums for speaking and for lectures on the 
sciences, and to form moral societies—to seek out young men 
of talents, and good moral character, that they may be assist¬ 
ed to obtain a liberal education—to report to the board all 
mechanics who are skilful and capable of conducting their 
trades—to procure places at trades and with respectable 
farmers for lads of good moral character—giving a prefer¬ 
ence to those who have learned to read, write, and cipher— 
and in every way to endeavor to promote the happiness of 
the people of color, by encouraging them to improve their 
minds, and to abstain from every vicious and demoralizing 
practice. 

The “mental feasts” alluded to were suggested 
at New Haven, by Mr. Jocelyn, who says: 

Not long after the utility of the “African Improvement 
Society” was proved, it became evident that not only litera¬ 
ry, but moral and religious culture among the colored people 
was important, and I suggested in the early numbers of the 
Libet'alor , organizations to be called Mental Feasts. They 
were introduced in Boston and Philadelphia. Mr. Tappan 
was interested in them. These meetings were rather social, 
but compositions, essays, poetry, etc., were read by the 
authors, (young women as well as young men attending,) and 
topics of interest were discussed in a familiar way. The 
refreshments were very simple—a cracker and a glass of 
water—thus avoiding costly preparations of refreshment, 
which are adverse to mental improvement. 

Mr. Tappan and myself attended one of these meetings in 
Philadelphia and took much pleasure in it. He was ever not 
only for the emancipation of the slaves, but for the true ele¬ 
vation of the free people of color. He had no caste feeling, 


VISIT TO PHILADELPHIA. 


161 


£nd the colored people wherever he went felt that he was 
bent on their highest good. It was natural that these atten¬ 
tions to the moral and intellectual wants of the colored peo¬ 
ple should have suggested the idea of a high school, or col¬ 
lege, particularly as colored youth were excluded from them 
throughout the country.” 


In Philadelphia, at that time, Mr. Tappan be¬ 
came acquainted with some of the principal colored 
people of that city, Messrs. Porten, Gardner, Glou¬ 
cester, Cassey, etc., men of mark, not only among 
their own people, but who were entitled to and would 
have obtained distinction in any society of white 
persons that appreciated moral worth, and intellect¬ 
ual ability. Two of them were ministers of the gos¬ 
pel and deserved to be ranked with the most pious 
and useful pastors of the day. 

Mr. Forten was a sailmaker. He employed a 
large number of hands, white and colored, and was 
considered among the most eminent in his calling at 
that day. It was said by the secretary of the navy, 

“ Mr. Forten can undertake to rig a seventy-four- 
gun ship, and not call for any money until the job is 
done.” 

It will be thus seen that Mr. Tappan took every 
opportunity in his power, to acquaint himself with 
the condition and needs of the colored people, both 
cultivated and unlettered, and to afford them all the^, 
sympathy and aid in his power. He derived a sweet 
satisfaction in this work of philanthropy, and felt 
that it did him good while he was benefiting tliem.^ 
In Mr. Jocelyn he realized that he had a wise ad¬ 
viser, and a true-hearted helper. 


162 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


The Phoenix Society rented, at first, rooms at the 
corner of Canal and Mercer streets, where they were 
favored with a course of lectures by several clergy¬ 
men of the city, on moral, scientific, and historical 
subjects. Afterwards a hall was hired on West 
Broadway, which thenceforth was named Phoenix 
Hall. It became somewhat noted in anti-slavery 
annals. Here the convention of the delegates of 
the American Anti-Slavery Society was held. They 
were of the apostolic number of seventy, and after 
lecturing in different parts of the free states, they 
met in New York for consultation and plans of 
enlarged influence. Here also a flourishing evening 
school for adult colored persons was established, 
the teachers being both white and colored. 

The Phoenix Society established a high school 
for colored youth, which was continued two years 
or more. 


THE ANTI-SLAVERY MOVEMENT. 163 


X. 

In April, 1830, it came to the knowledge of Mr. 
Tappan that William Lloyd Gaeeison had been 
convicted of a libel, at Baltimore, for publishing, 
with comments, the fact that a vessel owned by 
Francis Todd, of Newburyport, Mass., had taken 
slaves “as freight” to New Orleans; and that he 
was, under the sentence of the court, lying in jail, 
for lack of means to pay the fine and costs. Mr. 
Garrison was personally unknown to Mr. Tappan, 
but he was an innocent man, suffering in a right¬ 
eous cause. That was sufficient to arouse the sym¬ 
pathy of Mr. Tappan, and induce him to send 
relief. He silently paid the fine and costs, and Mr. 
Garrison, on his way to Boston, called on his deliv¬ 
erer to express his thanks for the unexpected favor 
bestowed upon him.* 

His appearance and deportment, at that time, 
were not likely to be forgotten. His manly form, 
buoyant spirit, and countenance beaming with con¬ 
scious rectitude, attracted the attention of all who 
witnessed his introduction to Mr. Tappan. 

o “After seven weeks of close confinement, Mr. Garrison was 
liberated by the noble, discrimidating generosity of the late 
Arthur Tappan, then in the height of his affluence, who, so long 
as he had wealth, felt that he was an almoner of God’s bounty, 
and gave his money gladly, in many ways, to the relief of suffer¬ 
ing humanity.” See “Some Recollections of our Anti-slavery 
Conflict,” by Samuel J. May, page 17. 


164 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


After this interesting interview, Mr. Garrison 
proceeded to Boston, and in a short time com¬ 
menced the publication of a weekly paper, The 
Liberator . His object was to expose the conspiracy 
of the slavocracy against human rights, and the 
cruel delusive character of the American Coloniza¬ 
tion Society. 

The paper had in Mr. Tappan a warm-hearted 
and liberal supporter. He subscribed for a large 
number of copies, to be directed to different indi¬ 
viduals, in hopes that it would enlist them in the 
cause of freedom. It had this effect; and several 
of the early and devoted friends of emancipation 
traced their first impressions of the guilt of slave¬ 
holding, and the heinousness of the expatriation 
scheme, to the paper sent to them from some un¬ 
known friend of the colored man. 

Henceforth the condition of the slaves, as well 
as the condition of the free people of color became 
leading objects with him, occupying his thoughts, 
his reading, his conversation, his correspondence, 
his benefactions, and his prayers. He witnessed, 
with great satisfaction, the influence produced on 
the minds of the true friends of the people of color, 
bond and free, and he had not the shadow of a 
doubt of the fulfilment of the declaration: “ He that 
goetli forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, 
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing 
his sheaves with him.” 

In a year from the commencement of the Liber¬ 
ator , viz., January 1, 1832, was formed The Neiv 


JOHN G. WHITTIER. 


165 


England Anti-Slavery Society, at Boston, and tlie 
fact was welcomed by Mr. Tappan and tlie little 
band of abolitionists with joy and thankfulness. 
Meantime the Liberator was increasing in influence. 
With a view to diffuse more extensively anti-slavery 
principles and to correct the effects of the Coloniza¬ 
tion Society, the Emancipator was established in the 
city of New York, March, 1833, under the editor¬ 
ship of Charles W. Denison. Mr. Tappan aided 
this undertaking. 

During this year a pamphlet was published at 
Haverhill, Mass., entitled “Justice and Expediency; 
or, Slavery considered with a View to its Bightful 
and Effectual Bemedy, Abolition,” by John G. 
Whittier. The esteemed author, who has done so 
much and so ably, in song and prose, for many 
years for the cause of equal rights, printed only five 
hundred copies. He sent one to Arthur Tappan 
who wrote to the author an encouraging letter, and 
had five thousand copies printed at his own expense. 
It was for loaning a copy of this pamphlet to a 
physician in "Washington that Dr. Crandall was im¬ 
prisoned, until his health was entirely destroyed, in 
the old city prison at Washington. 

William Goodell, in his volume, entitled “Sla¬ 
very and Anti-Slavery,” says: “In 1835, Dr. Beuben 
Crandall, from the state of New York, was arrested, 
imprisoned, and tried for his life, in Washington 
City, for having loaned to a white citizen, at his 
own request, a pamphlet against slavery.” 

The facts, reasoning and appeal of this early 


166 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


discussion of the principles of slavery and coloniza¬ 
tion by Mr. Whittier, arrested the attention and 
increased the sympathies of Mr. Tappan. With his 
characteristic sagacity and generosity, he desired 
to send it broadcast over the land. In reply to the 
question, “Why I seek to agitate the subject of 
slavery?” the author said: 

“Let the truth on this subject—undisguised, 
naked, terrible as it is, stand out before us. Let us 
no longer seek to cover it; let us no longer strive to 
forget it; let us no more dare to palliate it. It is 
better to meet it here with repentance than at the 
bar of God. The cry of the oppressed—of the mill¬ 
ions who have perished among us as the brute per- 
isheth, shut out from the glad tidings of salvation, 
has gone there before us, to Him who as a father 
pitieth all his children. Their blood is upon us as 
a nation; woe unto us if we repent nq:b»as*ja nation 
in dust and ashes. Woe unto us if we say in our 
hearts, ‘The Lord shall not see, neither shall the 
God of Jacob regard it. He that planted the ear, 
shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall 
he not see?’ ” 

The concluding paragraph of this eloquent pub¬ 
lication is as follows: 

“And when the stain on our own escutcheon 
shall be seen no more; when the Declaration of our 
Independence and the practice of our people shall 
agree; when Truth shall be exalted among us; when 
Love shall take the place of Wrong; when all the 
baneful pride and prejudice of caste and color shall 


FINLEY AND JOCELYN. 


167 


fall for ever; when under one common snn of polit¬ 
ical Liberty the slaveholding portions of our Repub¬ 
lic shall no longer sit, like the Egyptians of old, 
themselves mantled in thick darkness, while all 
around them is glowing with the blessed light of 
freedom and equality—then, and not till then, shall 
it GO WELL FOE AmEEICA !”* 

Public attention in the city of New York had 
recently been drawn to the slavery question by a 
discussion between R. S. Finley and Simeon S. 
Jocelyn at Clinton Hall, on the comparative merits 
of colonization and immediate emancipation. This 
discussion resulted in the adhesion of several per¬ 
sons, who were subsequently numbered among the 
supporters of the anti-slavery cause in the city. 
They were convinced by the arguments, facts, and 
fervent appeals of Mr. Jocelyn, that the Bible and 
the claims of humanity required them to abjure the 
colonization scheme, and to advocate the recogni- 

* 2d, 5th mo., 1870. 

My Dear Friend Lewis Tappan : My pamphlet on Slavery, 
“Justice and Expediency,” was printed in the early summer of 
1833. I only printed five hundred copies. I sent one to thy 
brother, and soon received from him a very kind letter. He had 
five thousand copies printed at his expense. 

In the very early days of the anti-slavery cause, thy brother’s 
sympathy and liberality were the main dependence of the zealous 
but poor young men who engaged in it. We all remember him 
with gratitude. When Garrison was imprisoned, I appealed to 
Henry Clay to use his influence with his Baltimore friends in his 
behalf, and he wrote me that he intended to have assisted him 
through Niles of the Register, but had been “anticipated by Mr. 
Tappan.” 

Always and truly thy friend, 

JOHN G. WHITTIER. 


168 . ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

tion of tlieir colored brethren, in the land of their 
birth, to all the privileges of citizens and Christians; 
in other words, that as “ God hath made of one blood 
all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the 
earth, and hath determined the times before ap¬ 
pointed, and the bounds of their habitation,” he 
requires that the rights of the “ Americans called 
Africans”* as equal before the law as well as equal 
before the gospel, should be recognized here in the 
land of their nativity, rather than in Africa. 

The New York Evangelist , conducted for a time 
by Rev. Samuel Griswold, and afterwards by Eev. 
Joshua Leavitt, entered into the discussion, and 
espoused the cause with ability and fearlessness. 
The Genius of Temperance , edited by William Good- 
ell, was already committed to the cause. Mr. Tap- 
pan felt a deep interest in these publications. “ By 
cooperation between the Messrs. Tappan and a few 
others, very large issues of anti-slavery tracts were 
circulated monthly during the greater part of this 
year, and sent by mail to clergymen of all denomi¬ 
nations, and other prominent men throughout the 
country. A great amount of important information 
was thus diffused.”t 

The abolitionists of the city had made such 
progress in the diffusion of their sentiments, that 
they were encouraged in the belief that the time 
had come to form a society, and thus combine and 

° The expressive words of Mrs. Child in her “Appeal,” pub¬ 
lished in 1833, a work of great merit, and one that exerted a pow¬ 
erful influence. 

f See “Slavery and Anti-Slavery,” by Wm. Goodell. 


TAMMANY HALL MEETING. 169 

'extend their influence. Accordingly, a call was 
made for a meeting of the friends of immediate 
emancipation, to be held at Clinton Hall, on the 2d 
day of October, 1833. The notice was published in 
the papers of the day, and by showbills put up in 
the streets and on public buildings. 

Very soon a counter-notice was published in a 
similar manner, signed by many southkons, inviting 
a meeting at the same time and place. The object 
was evidently to outnumber the friends of freedom 
at their own meeting, and crush in the shell the 
anti-slavery enterprise. The proprietors of Clinton 
Hall, alarmed at the demonstrations made, under¬ 
took to annul their agreement. Application was 
then made to the lessees of Clinton Hotel, near by, 
but in vain. The “ Southrons,” encouraged by their 
Northern sympathizers, seemed to triumph. 

But when every hall appeared to be closed 
against the abolitionists, it occurred to one of them, 
who was a trustee of Chatham-street Chapel, that 
the lecture-room of that building afforded sufficient 
accommodations for the meeting. Verbal notice, 
was accordingly given at a late hour of the day, 
and as many as could be convened on the emer¬ 
gency, fifty or more in number, assembled at the 
appointed hour. 

Their opposers, finding Clinton Hall shut against 
them also, adjourned to Tammany Hall, in large 
numbers, filling the building and the street oppo¬ 
site. The meeting was duly organized, General 
Bogardus, United States marshal, in the chair. 

8 


170 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


Kesolutions of a denunciatory character were adopt¬ 
ed, and inflammatory speeches made by prominent 
citizens. The proceedings were published in the 
city papers, along with gratulations for the “ security 
of the Union I”* Before separating, they learned 
where the abolitionists were assembled, and ad¬ 
journed the meeting to Chatham-street Chapel by 
acclamation and shouts of, “ Let us rout them !” 
Arrived at the place, the numbers swelled to two 
thousand or more. They found their steps arrested 
by the closed iron gates at the entrance of the pas¬ 
sage leading to the chapel, the keys of which were 
in the bonds of the trustee previously alluded to. 
Being thus kepi: at bay, the mob made fruitless 
efforts to gain admittance, meantime shouting, “Ten 
thousand dollars for Arthur Tappan!" Several abo¬ 
litionists were called by name, and loud threats were 
uttered. 

Within the building the abolitionists were hold¬ 
ing their meeting with an order and solemnity befit¬ 
ting the occasion. It was commenced with prayer 
for Divine protection and guidance. Kesolutions 
were adopted that it is expedient to form an anti¬ 
slavery society, and that committees be appointed 
to report a constitution and board of officers. On 
the reports of committees being received, they were, 
after some amendments, severally adopted. A com¬ 
mittee was then appointed to prepare for publica- 

* See a valuable work entitled “ Slavery and Anti-Slavery,” by 
William Goodell, who was early associated with Mr. Tappan in 
the temperance and anti-slavery cause, and whose writings have 
been highly prized by thousands of philanthropists and patriots. 


CHATHAM-STREET CHAPEL. 


171 


tion the proceedings, and have them inserted in the 
morning papers of the ensuing day. The meeting 
was then adjourned, sine die. 

The keys of the iron gates were now handed to 
the janitor, with instructions to unlock them, and 
let the clamorous multitude in while the abolition¬ 
ists were withdrawing. Mr. Tappan and a few oth¬ 
ers went to a private door, in the rear of the build¬ 
ing, but finding it fastened, they withdrew by an¬ 
other passage a few moments before the infuriated 
crowd had burst into the room where they had held 
the meeting. The mob, seeing that the persons 
against whom they meditated mischief had escaped,* 
amused themselves by organizing a mock meeting, 
forcing a negro man to take the chair, whom they 
addressed as Arthur Tappan, and requiring him to 
make a speech. The man made some hesitation, 
but his audience would take no denial. Summon¬ 
ing, therefore, all his courage, he addressed them 
after this sort, as it was reported: 

“ I am called upon to make a speech! You 
doubtless know that I am a poor, ignorant man, 
not accustomed to make speeches. But I have 
heard of the Declaration of Independence, and have 
read the Bible. The Declaration says all men are 
created equal,'and the Bible says God has made us 

® It was afterwards made known that one of the mob pursued 
Mr. Tappan and his friends through the unlighted main hall of 
the chapel, with a light and a drawn dagger. The janitor of the 
chapel, who had taken a deep interest in the proceedings, saw the 
villain as he followed the little band, blew out the light, and took 
refuge in one of the slips. 


172 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


all of one blood. I think, therefore, we are entitled 
to good treatment, that it is wrong to hold men in 
slavery, and that—” They would hear him no fur¬ 
ther, but with yells and curses broke up their meet¬ 
ing and dispersed. 

The committee appointed to prepare for publi¬ 
cation the proceedings of the anti-slavery meeting, 
proceeded forthwith to execute the trust. They sat 
up to a late hour, and then went to the editorial 
rooms of the daily press. At the office of the Jour - 
nal of Commerce , Mr. Hallock, the editor, informed 
them that an article was already in type, the pur¬ 
port of which was that the meeting of the abolition¬ 
ists had been interrupted, and the persons attend¬ 
ing it dispersed, without accomplishing their object. 
On being made acquainted with the actual facts, 
he, from a sense of justice, substituted the official 
account of the proceedings for the fictitious state¬ 
ment that had been imposed upon him. 

At the office of the Courier and Enquirer the 
committee learned that the editor, James "Watson 
Webb, after writing and giving out his editorial, 
had gone to his home. The next morning, the pub¬ 
lic manifested much merriment at the appearance 
of the Courier and Enquirer. The leader of the edi¬ 
tor was couched in language evincing a high degree 
of exultation at the supposed defeat of the aboli¬ 
tionists in their attempt to organize an association 
to oppose slavery, and reaffirm the doctrines of their 
revolutionary forefathers. But when, in the same 
paper, was seen the official statement of the success- 


COURIER AND ENQUIRER. 


173 


ful efforts of the abolitionists in forming the New 
York City Anti-Slavery Society, in juxtaposition, as 
it were, with the anticipated triumph of their oppo¬ 
nents, the “broad grins” of the defeated party min¬ 
gled with the serene satisfaction expressed by those 
on the opposite side of the question. 

The heading and leader were as follows: 



PRINCIPLES, NOT MEN. 


THURSDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 3, 1833. 


GREAT PUBLIC MEETING. 

THE AGITATORS DEFEATED! 
THE CONSTITUTION TRIUMPHANT! 


Some thousands assembled in the vicinity of Clinton Hall 
to mark their detestation of any attempt to organize a society 
in this city fraught with danger to the Union, and based 
upon an open violation of the Constitution of the United 
States. Information was there given, however, that the trus¬ 
tees of the Hall, with the single exception of Arthur Tap- 
pan, had prohibited any such meeting; in consequence, 
those who had assembled quietly to vote down these disor¬ 
ganizing fanatics, organized and adjourned to Tammany 
Hall. Not less than five thousand persons were present. 

We rejoice that this opportunity has been presented to 
the inhabitants of our city to convince their Southern breth¬ 
ren of their determination not to countenance , in any manner, 
the interference of Tappan, Garrison, & Co. with their slave 


property. 

PER CONTRA. 

In the same paper, bought in as an advertise¬ 
ment at a late hour in the night, when the editor 
was probably asleep, was the official account of the 
proceedings at Chatham-street Chapel, as follows: 









174 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. 

At a meeting of the friends of immediate emancipation 
of slaves in the United States, held at Chatham-street Chapel 
last evening (Wednesday), at half-past 7 o’clock, John Ran¬ 
kin was chosen Chairman, and Abraham L. Cox, M. D., 
Secretary. 

After an address to the throne of grace, on motion, it was 

Resolved, That it is expedient at this time to form a soci¬ 
ety for promoting the abolition of slavery. 

A committee appointed at a preliminary meeting then 
offered the draft of a constitution, which was read, and its 
principles discussed, when the same was unanimously adopt¬ 
ed, and was as follows : 


CONSTITUTION 

OF THE NEW YORK CITY ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. 

(Here the Constitution was inserted.) 

The Society then went into the choice of Officers, when 
the following persons were chosen : 

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY. 


ARTHUR TAPPAN, President. 
WILLIAM GREEN, Jr., Vice-President. 
JOHN RANKIN, Treasurer. 

ELIZUR WRIGHT, Jr., Cor. Sec. 


CHARLES W. DENISON, Rec. Sec. 


JOSHUA LEAVITT, 

ISAAC T. HOPPER, 
ABRAHAM L. COX, M.D., 
LEWIS TAPPAN, 
WILLIAM GOODELL, 


WITH THE ABOVE, 
MANAGERS. 


After which the meeting was adjourned. 


JOHN RANKIN, Chairman. 

Abraham L. Cox, Secretary. 


The same day, the Journal of Commerce came out 
with a fair statement, ending as follows : 

After all, it appears that the immediate emancipationists 
outgeneralled their opposers ; for while the latter were be¬ 
sieging Clinton Hall, or wasting wind at Tammany Hall, the 
former were quietly adopting their Constitution at Chatham- 



ANTI-SLAVERY CONVENTION. 175 


street Cliapel. They had but just adjourned, we understand, 
when the din of the invading army, as it approached from 
Tammany Hall, fell upon their ears; and before the audience 
was fairly out of the chapel, the flood poured in through the 
gates as if they would take it by storm. But lo ! they were 
too late; the Anti-Slavery Society had been formed, the Con¬ 
stitution adopted, and the meeting adjourned ! So they had 
nothing to do but go home. 

“ The king of France, with eighty thousand men, 

Marched up the hill, and then marched down again.” 

Shortly afterwards, Mr. Tappan met with a few 
friends to consider the propriety of issuing a call 
for an anti-slavery convention, to form a national 
society. The call was published in the anti-slavery 
newspapers, while letters were addressed to individ¬ 
uals in different parts of the country believed to be 
interested in the cause, inviting their attendance. 
The convention met in Philadelphia, December 4, 
1833; had a harmonious meeting; adopted the Con¬ 
stitution of the “ American Anti-Slavery Society,” 
and a Declaration of Sentiments ; and voted that 
the Society should be located in the City of New 
York. 

Arthur Tappan was chosen President of the 
Society. He had neither sought the office nor 
expected it, but he was elected because, as one of 
the delegates said, “ He will not flinch; you can 
rely upon him.” He did not attend the convention, 
owing to a press of business, but his heart was much 
interested in the proceedings, and they had his 
entire concurrence. The executive committee of 
the new society had regular meetings, at which Mr. 
Tappan presided. His yearly subscription in aid of 


176 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


tlie Society’s operations was three thousand dollars, 
which was in addition to considerable sums paid by 
him otherwise for the promotion of the cause. He 
continued its liberal supporter while he had the 
means. He fully identified himself with the cause 
so unpopular at its commencement, but destined to 
have, under the sanction and good providence of 
God, a glorious success. 

During the six or seven years that he was con¬ 
nected with this society, he attended the annual 
meetings in New York, and presided, it was re¬ 
marked, with unusual self-control and dignity amid 
the exciting scenes that often took place, owing to 
the feverish state of public feeling, and the attempts 
of the populace to disturb and break up the meet¬ 
ings, urged on as they were by embittered editors of 
the public press. 

The society met with rapid and great success. 
Its auxiliaries were numerous and efficient; its 
agents, of whom there were many, lectured through¬ 
out the free states; the publications were scattered 
far and wide; and not a few men and women of cul¬ 
ture and influence joined themselves to the ranks of 
the sect “ everywhere spoken against.” 

Theodore D. Weld, one of the lecturing agents of 
the society, had engaged to deliver a course of lec¬ 
tures at one of the towns in Jefferson county, Ohio. 
Previous to delivering the first, he gave notice to 
the audience that he had no objection to any one 
taking notes of what he should say. He observed 
a young man taking notes, and at the close made 


WELD AND STANTON. . 


177 


inquiries about him. He was told he was a young 
lawyer residing in the place. On reaching his lodg¬ 
ings, the stranger came to his room, introduced him¬ 
self, and said: “I went to your lecture with the 
intention of taking down your argument, and reply¬ 
ing to it at a future time, but you have entirely 
swept away the ground of my opposition.” It was 
predicted by the law partner of this young attorney 
that if he lived, his talents would insure him the 
office of attorney-general of the United States. The 
prediction was fulfilled, and subsequently he actually 
held a more important office in the government, that 
of Secretary of War, during the tremendous conflict 
that resulted in the downfall of slavery, and gave to 
the name of Edwin M. Stanton an enduring place 
in the affections of his countrymen, and in the his¬ 
tory of his country.* 

It cannot be truly denied that some who were 
engaged in the enterprise were indiscreet, and some¬ 
times rash, both in language and measures; but it 
is believed that, considering the opposition they met 
and the false statements uttered respecting their 
principles and measures, rarely has any reform been 
* conducted with more discretion. Still, as is ever 
the case when aggressive movements are made for 
the correction of public sentiment and the wicked 
practices of men, the abolitionists were subject to 

* The death of this distinguished patriot, in the early part of 
1870, has been a national affliction. He was bom at Steubenville, 
Ohio, in 1815 ; was a law partner of Senator Benjamin Tappan ; 
and just before his lamented death had been appointed as asso¬ 
ciate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. 

8 * 


178 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


denunciation both from the pulpit and the forum, 
in the walks of business, in religious and literary 
assemblies, and to social ostracism of themselves 
and families. 

The publications issued by the society, and the 
annual reports contained in its newspapers, or pub¬ 
lished in pamphlet form, can be fearlessly appealed 
to in justification of the above remarks, while the 
attacks made upon individuals and the societies 
with which they were connected, by the pro-slavery 
press, evince in their spirit and language ample evi¬ 
dence of the falsity of most of the accusations. 

The facilities given to slaveholders by obse¬ 
quious and unprincipled magistrates in the Northern 
states for the recovery of their slaves, and the not 
unfrequent kidnapping of free people of color, under 
the forms of law, were notorious. Abolitionists and 
their colored friends were on the qui vive ; but while 
they secured the freedom of many, they were often 
baffled by the subtlety or knavery of official persons 
who seemed to feel it to be an honor to bow the knee 
to the lords of the slaveocracy. 

In illustration of the preceding remark, a case 
may be stated that occurred under the observation 
of the compiler. His attention was called by a col¬ 
ored man, who said, “ I have just come from Re¬ 
corder Biker’s office, where is a man they are going 
to send into slavery; do come over as soon as you 
can.” On reaching the office, then in the City Hall, 
it appeared that a stranger was urgently demanding 
that the recorder should give up a black man, who 


RECORDER HIKER. 


179 


was present, whom he alleged was his slave. Sev¬ 
eral colored persons were there ready to affirm that 
the person claimed had lived in the city six months 
or more, and they believed they could prove that he 
had never been in a Southern state. Apparently 
yielding to the evidence and pleadings, the recorder 
at length said: “ I will adjourn this hearing until 
to-morrow .at 9 o’clock, a. m., when all parties will 
attend, and I will do what the law requires.” 

In anticipation of the hour of adjournment a few 
minutes, the writer went to the recorder’s office, 
where were assembled the sympathizing friends of 
the colored man. Addressing the writer, this ma¬ 
gistrate, to his astonishment, said: “ I have given 
up that negro to his master, who told me the whole 
story; I believed every word he said, for he is a 
perfect gentleman—a perfect gentleman, sir, enti¬ 
tled to entire confidence.” “ Given him up!” was 
the reply; “ did you not adjourn the hearing, sir, to 
this morning, and notify all parties to be present ?” 
The recorder replied: “Yes, yes, I think I did, but 
I learned all the facts from the master; he satisfied 
me that the man belongs to him; and I believe he 
is to be relied upon—he is a most gentlemanly man. 
I believe every word he said.” 

While this was taking place the slaveholder and 
the victim of judicial tyranny were on their way to 
Virginia. The recorder listened rather impatiently 
to the expostulations offered and turned away from 
the grieved and disappointed colored persons that 
thronged his office, to take his seat on the bench of 


180 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


the criminal court. Such was the administration of 
the law in those days, in reference to fugitive slaves, 
and those claimed as such! This was the first judi¬ 
cial announcement made that the negro has no 
rights that white men are bound to respect. The 
poor blacks were trembling with alarm, the remon¬ 
strances of their friends were unheeded, and base 
acquiescence in the claims of Southern despots 
almost universally prevailed throughout the North¬ 
ern states. 

In November, 1835, a meeting of the friends of 
human rights was held for the purpose of adopting 
measures to ascertain, if possible, the extent to 
which the cruel practice of kidnapping men, women, 
and children, was carried on in this city, and to aid 
such unfortunate persons as may be in danger of 
being reduced to slavery , in maintaining “ their 
rights.” A committee was chosen, styled the “ com¬ 
mittee of vigilance,” “to protect unoffending, de¬ 
fenceless, and endangered persons of color, by 
securing them rights, as far as practicable, and by 
obtaining for them, when arrested, under the pre¬ 
text of being fugitive slaves , such protection as the 
law will afford.” 

The first anniversary of the “ committee of vigi¬ 
lance” was celebrated on the evening of January 16, 
1837, at the Presbyterian church, corner of Thomp¬ 
son and Houston streets, New York, Rev. Theodore 
S. Wright, chairman. The exercises continued until 
a late hour, while a large audience manifested their 
interest by listening with profound attention to the 


UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. 181 

facts communicated, and to tlie appeals made, until 
the close of the meeting. 

Rev. John T. Raymond, pastor of a Baptist 
church in the city, introduced the following resolu¬ 
tion: 

Resolved, That we commend the vigilance committee to 
the confidence, cooperation, and prayers of the friends of 
oppressed humanity. 

Mr. Raymond spoke with great feeling on the 
force of prejudice, and related his own experience 
in being banished from his native state of Virginia, 
under a law that forbade free people of color to 
return after an absence of a year, because he had 
delivered a speech in New York, in relation to the 
Wilberforce colony, in Canada. Other addresses 
were made. The secretary presented to the audi¬ 
ence the afflicted wife of Peter John Lee, (a colored 
man who had been recently kidnapped from Rye, 
New York, and hurried into hopeless bondage, by 
the minions of slavery,) and her two fatherless little 
sons. The audience were deeply affected.* 

The above account of the committee of vigilance 
is here presented because Arthur Tappan, and most 
other abolitionists, after becoming acquainted with 
its principles and measures, were greatly interested 
in them, and because such was the origin of the 
system of operations afterwards pursued, styled the 
“Underground Railroad,” which aided not only 

* The New York State Vigilance Committee was formed fifteen 
years after ; its object being “To assist persons seeking freedom 
from chattel slavery, and to protect and defend those whose per¬ 
sonal liberty may be called in question. ” 


182 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


fugitive slaves, long resident in the free states, but 
their relations and brethren in slave states to escape 
into Canada. At first, some abolitionists doubted 
the propriety of such measures, fearing they would 
not be justified in aiding slaves to escape from 
their masters: but reflection convinced them that 
it was right to ignore human enactments which 
were contrary to the law of God, and that it was 
not only right to assist men in efforts to obtain 
their liberty, when unjustly held in bondage, but a 
duty. He was always ready to help the flying fugi¬ 
tive on his way to Canada, or elsewhere, and was 
active in this benevolent work. It is a sufficient 
answer to those who pretended that it was wrong to 
meddle with slaves, or protect them in their flight 
from bondage, to quote the memorable saying of 
Lord Brougham: “There is a law above all the 
enactments of human codes. It is written by the 
finger of God on the heart of man; and by that law, 
unchangeable and eternal, while men despise fraud, 
and loathe rapine, they shall reject with indignation, 
the wild and guilty fantasy that man can hold prop¬ 
erty in man.” 

The agitation of the slavery question in England 
for many years, in which Thomas Clarkson and 
William Wilberforce were ably seconded by many 
coadjutors, and which resulted in an act of emanci¬ 
pation, that passed the British Parliament, and 
received the royal assent August 28,1833, quickened 
the zeal and animated the hopes of the abolitionists 
in the United States. 


JOSEPH STURGE. 183 

The details of the act were adjusted on this basis 
namely: 

1. The entire extinction of slavery, to take place 
on the 1st of August, 1834. 

2. Field laborers, above six years old, to serve as 
apprentices for six years. 

3. Domestics or house servants to serve as ap¬ 
prentices four years. 

4. Children under six years, to be free, and chil¬ 
dren thereafter born to be free. 

5. The slaves to pay no part of their redemption 
money, but a compensation of twenty thousand 
pounds, sterling, to be paid out of the public treas¬ 
ury, to the planters, at the dose of the apprenticeship. 

In Antigua and Bermuda, the colonial legisla¬ 
tures preferred to dispense with the “apprenticeship 
system,” believing immediate and complete eman¬ 
cipation to be safest. The vexations attending the 
system in other islands led to its voluntary abandon¬ 
ment, and the entire freedom of the field laborers, 
on the 1st of August, 1838, two years before the time 
limited in the statute. The whole number liberated, 
in the British islands, was about eight hundred 
thousand.* 

The abridgment of the apprenticeship system 
was due mainly to the efforts of Joseph Sturge, one 
of the most liberal and devoted friends of the slave 
among the British emancipationists. At his own 
charge he went to the West Indies in 1837, accom¬ 
panied by two or three friends, whose expenses he 
° See Goodell’s “Slavery and Anti-Slavery.” 


184 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


defrayed, investigated the evils of the system, and 
published the results. The effect was so great that 
it soon led to the abandonment of the system.* 

The executive committee of the American Anti- 
Slavery Society deemed it so important that the 
misrepresentations of the pro-slavery press of the 
United States should be corrected by a publication 
of facts and testimony ascertained on the spot, that 
they deputed James A. Thome and Joseph H. Kim¬ 
ball to proceed to the West Indies to make the inves¬ 
tigations, Mr. Tappan contributing a large share of 
the expenses.! 

Both deputations arrived in the West Indies 
near the close of the year 1836. The facts publish¬ 
ed by them had a remarkable agreement, and car¬ 
ried conviction to the minds of disinterested and 
liberty-loving people, throughout the civilized world, 
of the safety and advantage of immediate emancipa¬ 
tion. American abolitionists were greatly cheered 
and encouraged in their labors by the gratifying 
intelligence thus spread before the people, and were 
sanguine in belief that it would lead speedily to 
universal freedom; but slaveholders and their allies 
persistently labored to falsify the information, and 
counteract its influence.^ 

The venerable Thomas Clarkson wrote, for the 

* See “ The West Indies in 1837 ; being the Journal of a Visit 
to Antigua, etc. By Joseph Sturge and Thomas Harvey.” 

f See “Emancipation in the West Indies, a Six Months’ Tour 
in Antigua, etc., in the year 1837, by J. A. Thome and J. H. Kim¬ 
ball.” 

t See Appendix 5, for an interesting statement of Joseph Sturge. 


THE COLORED AMERICAN. 


185 


information of Arthur Tappan, and his anti-slavery 
friends, that he had been informed by a British 
consul that fictitious statements respecting the condi¬ 
tion of the emancipated in the West Indies and the 
condition of the islands, were sent to the United 
States as warnings to the people not to encourage 
the abolition of slavery. 

While the abolitionists were active and fearless 
in their efforts to arouse public attention to the 
atrocities of slavery, the leading people of color were 
not inactive in labors to diffuse light and intelligence 
among their people; and to make them worthy of 
equal privileges wherever they should be secured to 
them. 

They commenced the publication of a journal, 
edited and conducted by colored men, entitled “The 
Colored American and Advocate.” It was com¬ 
menced March 4, 1837, with the means contributed 
by anti-slavery friends, Mr. Tappan giving the lar¬ 
gest sum, and was a neatly printed and well edited 
paper; the proprietor was Philip A. Bell, and the 
editor Samuel E. Cornish, both men of color, men of 
abilities, of much consideration among their people, 
and respected by all who knew them. 

The paper was intended to be the organ of color¬ 
ed Americans. Its columns were filled with excel¬ 
lent selected and original matter. It ably advocated 
the emancipation of the enslaved, and the elevation of 
the free colored people; and to this end it urged on 
the whites the abolition of caste, and on their own 
people a thorough education. Gifted men, among 


186 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


the people of color in New York and elsewhere, and 
there were not a few of them, had an opportunity, 
that was well improved, of addressing their people, 
and the public at large, in the columns of this excel¬ 
lent paper. 

The appearance of this paper was cordially wel¬ 
comed by Mr. Tappan, whose confidence in the 
editor was very great; and he believed it an impor¬ 
tant auxiliary to the cause of emancipation in pro¬ 
moting, on behalf of the people of color, LIBERTY 
and EDUCATION. It was sustained a year or 
two, giving abundant evidence of the capability of 
colored men to sustain a respectable newspaper, and 
was then discontinued, as were several other anti¬ 
slavery papers, during the financial convulsion that 
occurred throughout the country. 

On the third day of December, 1863, a meeting 
of members of the convention that formed the 
“American Anti-Slavery Society,” was held in Phila¬ 
delphia, commemorative of that event, to which Mr. 
Tappan was specially invited. The following letter 
accompanied the invitation: 

Boston, November 12,1863. 

Dear and Venerated Sir : Tliirty-tliree years seven 
months ago I was lying in the cell of the city prison in Balti¬ 
more, for the crime of exposing and denouncing certain towns¬ 
men of mine, whom I detected in carrying on the domestic 
slavetrade, between that city and New Orleans. Comparative¬ 
ly unknown at that time, and utterly without means to pay 
the fine and costs of court that were imposed upon me by a 
slaveholding judge, I might have died within those prison 
walls, if your sympathizing and philanthropic heart had not 
prompted you, unsolicited, to send the needed sum for my 


GRATITUDE FOR KINDNESS. 187 


redemption. It is not for me to trace the consequences of 
that deed to the cause of the oppressed since that period; 
but I desire to assure you that my gratitude to you is as fresh 
and overflowing as it was when I was delivered from my in¬ 
carceration, and will ever remain so. 

It is now more than a score of years since I had the pleas¬ 
ure of seeing you. Time, of course, has been busy with us 
both in making his impression upon us, although I am con¬ 
siderably younger than yourself. On the 10th of next month 
I shall complete my fifty-eighth year. I presume you have 
numbered fourscore years. May God grant us the inex¬ 
pressibly happy privilege of witnessing a universal jubilee, 
a horribly wicked rebellion suppressed, and peace and unity 
secured from sea to sea, before this “ mortal shall have put 
on immortality.” Your ever grateful friend, 

WM. LLOYD GARRISON. 

Arthur Tapp an, Esq. 

At the meeting Mr. Garrison said: “The first 
letter I hold in my hand is from one who deserves 
to be held in honorable and lasting remembrance 
for his early, devoted, and long-continued service in 
our cause; I mean the first president of the Amer¬ 
ican Anti-Slavery Society, once the distinguished 
merchant-philanthropist of the city of New York, 
Arthur Tappan ; the benefactor to whom I owe my 
liberation from the Baltimore prison in 1830; and 
but for whose interposition at that time, in all prob¬ 
ability I should never have left that prison, except 
to be carried out to be buried. I think it is some 
twenty years since I had the pleasure of looking 
into his face. But I could do no less than to send 
him a letter of invitation to be present at this com¬ 
memorative meeting, renewing my expression of 
gratitude for all his kindness to me personally, and 
my admiration for all he had done in the cause of 


188 ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

the oppressed; and I was glad to receive this letter 
in reply.” 

The letter was read, as follows, by Wendell 
Phillips Garrison, one of the secretaries: 

New Haven, Nov. 17,1863. 

Wm. Lloyd Garrison, Esq. , Dear Sir : Few events could 
give me so much pleasure as the receipt of your note of the 
12th inst. During the years that have intervened since we 
last met, I have often recalled the time when we were united 
in working for the slave, and regretted that any occurrence 
should have estranged us from each other. 

I shall be glad to attend the meeting at Philadelphia, but 
my advanced age (seventy-eighth year) and growing infirmi¬ 
ties may prevent. I am, very truly, your friend, 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


I 


UNFOUNDED CHARGES. 


XL 

The most unfounded charges were brought 
against the abolitionists, many of them being absurd 
as well as malicious. They were accused of a de¬ 
sign to change the social habits of the community, 
to mix up people without any regard to distinctions 
in society, and to enforce associations of persons of 
education and culture on equal terms wilh ignorant 
and degraded persons. Not only an unscrupulous 
press, but persons moving in refined society gave 
out, as credible facts of which they were personally 
cognizant, that it was part of the creed of anti-slave¬ 
ry people, that marriage relations ought to take 
place between white and colored persons. 

It was a singular fact, said a writer, that those 
who profess belief in strong, instinctive, insurmount¬ 
able prejudices against color, are the very persons 
who are most alarmed about amalgamation by inter¬ 
marriages; as if the two propositions did not ob¬ 
viously destroy each other. It was said that at a 
town meeting in New Hampshire the question was 
discussed, whether colored people ought to be 
admitted into schools upon equal terms with white 
scholars. One individual arose and treated the 
subject after the usual manner of those who have 
thought little about it. “ If we cultivate these peo¬ 
ple,” said he, “ the first thing we shall know, they 


ARTHURTAPPAN. 


will be marrying our daughters. Such a thing as a 
kind social relation between the two races was never 
intended by Providence. The colored people are 
naturally inferior, and cannot be elevated. It is 
impossible for us to exist together in the same com¬ 
munity with them on equal terms; you might as 
well try to mix oil and water.” 

Upon this, a plain farmer remarked: “Why, I 
thought you said just now that the first thing we 
should know they would be marrying our darters. 
Now, if they wont mix any better than ile and water, 
what are you afraid on ? ” 

At the same meeting, a person observed that he 
had no objection to colored people’s being educated, 
but they might get up schools for themselves. It 
was his opinion that white folks had better let the 
niggers alone. An elderly man arose, and asked the 
following question: “When the angel of the Lord 
commanded Philip to enter the chariot of the Ethio¬ 
pian, and explain to him the Scriptures, what if 
Philip had answered, ‘I think, Lord, it is best for 
white people to let the niggers alone’?” 

These anecdotes illustrate the kind of dialogues 
that were carried on in those days on the part of 
the opponents and friends of emancipation. It ap¬ 
pears almost incredible at the present day, that 
stories respecting the social intercourse of leading 
abolitionists with people of color should have the 
currency they did during the heated controversy. 
Persons in the higher walks of society, at that time, 
did not scruple to repeat the slanders, sometimes 


ABOLITION PRINCIPLE. 191 

vouching for their truthfulness from their own knowl¬ 
edge! 

The anti-republican and unchristian feeling of 
caste, though much abated, has not yet been dis¬ 
carded, either by the cultivated or ignorant mem-^- 
bers of society. Abolitionists merely proclaimed 
anew the doctrine maintained by the founders of 
the Tepublic, that all men have equal natural rights, 
and are entitled to life, liberty, and happiness. It 
follows, of course, that black men have the same 
rights as white men; the right to acquire knowledge, 
engage in pursuits of their own selection, and ele¬ 
vate themselves in the intellectual and moral scale, 
without molestation. Is it not an obvious sequence 
that, as citizens of the same country, and as chil¬ 
dren of the same family of which God is the Fa¬ 
ther, they ought to be treated irrespective of com- 
plexion ? 

Mr. Tappan, and those associated with him, con¬ 
tended against the cruel and heartless usages of 
society that oppressed and degraded the people of 
color. They were excluded from the public schools, 
academies and colleges, they were forced to sit in 
“negro pews” in houses of public worship, often 
obliged to partake of the bread and wine at the 
Lord’s supper after they had been served to the 
white communicants, and denied the privilege of 
obtaining instruction in theological seminaries to 
qualify them to preach the gospel. They were re¬ 
fused seats in omnibuses and cars. They were com¬ 
pelled to remain on the decks of steamboats, while 


192 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


other passengers were taking repose in cabins and 
staterooms. They were excluded from places of 
public amusement. They were forbidden the priv¬ 
ilege of voting, and in all manner of ways maltreat¬ 
ed, often by persons of less education and refine¬ 
ment than themselves. They were shut out from 
the jury seats even when their own people were on 
trial, and thus a fundamental principle of law and 
equity was ignored that a man has a right to be 
tried by his peers. 

The whole community, with few exceptions, took 
part against them. Law-makers, magistrates, school¬ 
masters, ministers of the gospel, sextons, and hod- 
carriers seemed to conspire to browbeat persons of 
color, as unworthy to “ live, move, and have a be¬ 
ing” with themselves, or to pass by them with frigid 
indifference to their just claims. 

The blindness as well as prejudice of the com¬ 
munity, at that day, is illustrated by an anecdote 
told by Frederick Douglass. He attended public 
worship, and was directed to a “negro-pew” in an 
elevated corner of the gallery. The Lord’s supper 
was celebrated. The preacher invited all the white 
brothers and sisters to come forward and partake of 
the elements; and when they had thus partaken, he 
looked up to the negro pew, and with outstretched 
arms exclaimed, “We now invite our colored friends 
to come down and partake of this holy feast, for the 
Lord is no respecter of persons!” 

There were even then a few ministers who ab¬ 
horred the ca§te feeling so generally prevailing, and 


THE INFLUENCE OF CASTE. 


193 


who did not hesitate to trample upon the usage as 
a desecration of the house of God, and an abomina¬ 
tion among Christian people. Among these was 
Dr. John M. Mason of the Murray-street church in 
the city of New York. He had invited a young 
slave girl, Katy, afterwards the well-known and 
highly respected Mrs. Catharine Ferguson, to unite 
with his church. He knew the hostile feeling that 
prevailed at the time among certain prominent 
members of his church, and was determined to 
show his disapprobation of it. Accordingly, when 
he saw the timid girl standing afar off, near the end 
of the broad isle, he went from the communion ta¬ 
ble, took her by the hand, and as he led her to a 
seat near the Lord’s table, he said aloud : 

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in 
Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been 
baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. There is 
neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor 
free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all 
one in Christ Jesus.”* 

On another similar occasion, as the colored 
members of the church were slowly coming down 
stairs from the gallery to take the back seats, one 
of the elders spoke to Dr. Mason across the com- 

* Mrs. Ferguson had the privilege and the honor of establish¬ 
ing the first Sunday-school ever formed in the city of New York ; 
and during her life she took from the almshouse and elsewhere, 
at different times, forty children, white and black, supporting 
them until they were of sufficient age to go into service* and then 
placing them in families to be reared for usefulness. See tract 
published by the Boston Tract Society. 

9 


194 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


raunion table, saying, “ Do n’t let the black people 
partake until the white members have got through.” 
The doctor said, “ Well, welland then addressing 
the colored communicants, he said, “ Come this way, 
take seats here.” He placed them in front of the 
table, and helped them to the bread and wine be¬ 
fore it was passed to the other members of the 
church. 

Anti-slavery men refused to be a party to all 
unrighteous conduct, set their faces against caste 
usages, and denounced them. For doing this they 
were slandered and maligned. On one occasion, 
Mr. Tappan finding the Eev. Samuel E. Cornish, a 
colored member of the First Presbytery of New 
York, of which the Eev. Dr. Spring was a member, 
standing on the steps of the Laight-street church, 
Eev. Dr. Cox’s, invited him to take a seat in his pew. 
No little excitement was the result. The devotions 
of the congregation were much disturbed. 

The services being over, one or more of the 
elders or trustees called upon the offending mem¬ 
ber of the church, remonstrated with him on the 
gross impropriety he had committed, and requested 
him in terms very like threatening not to repeat the 
offence. 

Mr. Cornish was a mulatto, neat in his person, 
gentlemanly in his deportment, a well-educated 
man, a good preacher, and both he and Mr. Tap- 
pan had been managers of the American Bible So¬ 
ciety. All this did not protect them from insult and 
annoyance in a house consecrated to the worship of 


DK. COX AND THE DAILY PAPEKS. 195 

God on the part of those who professed to be his 
worshippers. 

Dr. Cox, in view of the angry feelings prevailing 
in his congregation towards Mr. Tappan, attempted 
in his weekly lecture to set the matter right. He 
warned his people not to indulge these inhuman 
prejudices, and said that they might well inquire 
how white the Asiatics were, or how white must the 
complexion of the Saviour be, were he now on earth, 
in order for us to tolerate his person or endure his 
presence. 

One of the daily papers, the Courier and Enqui¬ 
rer , came out with a violent attack upon Dr. Cox 
for his utterances to his own people, accusing him 
of having stated that the Saviour was a colored 
man, etc. Dr. Cox vindicated himself in another 
morning paper, the Journal of Commerce* and gave 
a suitable answer to the aspersions. “ How great 
and anti-philosophical, as well as anti-Christian,” 
said he, “ the prejudice of us Americans against our 
colored brethren; that such a sentiment,.... guard¬ 
edly applied to the complexion of Jesus Christ, 
should rouse the angry feelings of many .... whose 
blindness mistakes for piety the antipathy which 
despises the Creator in his creatures !” But for his 
vindication of Mr. Tappan, his espousal of the anti¬ 
slavery cause, and his controversy with the Courier 
and Enquirer , he was remembered afterwards by 
that paper and the mob, when his hou.se and person 
were threatened and assailed. 

* See New York Evangelist of June 21, 1834. 


196 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


It so happened that a fellow-townsman of Mr. 
Cornish, one of his own playmates in Virginia, a 
man of a skin rather darker than his own, mixed at 
the time and after with the “bulls and bears” of 
Wall-street on equal terms. And why? Because 
he had shaved his head, put on a wig, had consid¬ 
erable property, was an astute financier, and called 
himself a Brazilian! 

Mr. Tappan recognized among the colored inhab¬ 
itants many excellent persons—scholars, artists, wor¬ 
thy members of society and of the church. They 
were entitled to, but did not enjoy the privileges 
and amenities of society. They were cramped in 
their laudable efforts and aspirations by an insane 
and heartless prejudice, as unmanly and preposter¬ 
ous as it was unchristian. The fact that so many 
of the proscribed class stood up against the unjust 
opprobrium, and by their industry, attainments, and 
good conduct, had made their way to competence 
and affluence and usefulness in spite of opposition, 
was evidence sufficient of their inherent capabilities 
and perseverance in the race of life. 

Included in the number of the estimable colored 
men contemporary with Mr. Tappan, was the Rev. 
Theodore Sedgwick Wright, pastor of the church in 
Frankfort-street, New York. He had his theologi¬ 
cal education at Princeton, N. J., and was highly 
esteemed by his instructors, among whom was the 
venerated Dr. Alexander. And yet, while attending 
as a spectator, the annual meeting of the “ Literary 
Society of the Alumni” of Nassau Hall, having pre- 


197 


ALFKED HENNEN, ESQ. 

viously been a member, bis unassuming deportment 
and evangelical piety did not screen him from rude 
and disgraceful treatment by some of the students 
in the chapel. His only fault was having a skin 
not colored like their own. 

It was in Mr. Wright’s church that a distin¬ 
guished lawyer of New Orleans, recently deceased, 
Alfred Hennen, Esq., who was also an elder in the 
Presbyterian church of which Mr. Wright was a 
minister, on witnessing for the first time a commo¬ 
dious and well-lighted church belonging to colored 
people, a congregation of well-dressed and respecta¬ 
ble persons, an organ and a choir of excellent sing¬ 
ers, and an educated preacher, exclaimed, “ This is 
a new and interesting scene to me, and I shall never 
forget it.” The minister, unconscious that he was 
present, supplicated for slaveholders, for the coun¬ 
try, and for the church, in a way that touched the 
feelings of Mr. Hennen, and called forth his warm 
encomiums. 

He afterwards said to the friend who had accom¬ 
panied him: “ At your house to-day you convinced 
me that all the doctrines of the abolitionists are cor¬ 
rect and unanswerable, except that of immediate 
emancipation, and I promised that if satisfied of the 
correctness of that doctrine, I would liberate my 
slaves forthwith. I am now satisfied on that point, 
and am resolved no longer to retain the relation I 
hold to slavery. You will soon hear from me, and, 
meantime, I wish you to give me copies of your 
principal publications, that I may take them to 


198 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


New Orleans and show them to my friends.” His 
request was complied with; but except a casual 
expression of remembrance in a letter to a mutual 
friend six months afterwards, he was not heard from 
again. For aught that was known, his convictions 
subsided, his promise was forgotten, and he re¬ 
mained a slaveholder until the proclamation of 
President Lincoln. 

Mr. Tappan did not claim any peculiar merit for 
being free from the caste feeling that so generally 
prevailed. In childhood he had been taught to 
respect worthy colored persons. From one of them 
he had been the recipient of many kindnesses when 
quite young. Near the residence of his parents 
lived a colored woman, who had once been a slave 
in the family of a daughter of President Edwards, 
the mother of President Dwight of Yale College. 
She was kind to children, had a motherly watchful¬ 
ness over them, and sometimes screened them from 
harsh treatment. Arthur was often at the house, 
with his hoop or sled, playing with the grandchil¬ 
dren of Madam Dwight, and many kind words and 
bits of cake did he and the other children receive 
from Lill, as she was called. At one time, when 
the little ones had wandered a mile or two from 
home, she went, near the close of day, in search of 
them, and brought them back. 

Her memory was ever precious in his recollec¬ 
tion, and next to their mothers, he and the other 
children thought her the best friend in the world. 
This pious and tender-hearted woman, Sylvia, lived 


KINDNESS TO COLORED PEOPLE. 199 

during two generations in the Dwight family. She 
was an exemplary member of the church, and her 
remains repose in the central part of the village 
burying-ground, having a headstone at the grave, 
with an inscription commemorative of her excellent 
character. Her kindness to Arthur, and the affec¬ 
tionate regard he had for her, doubtless laid the 
foundation for the interest he ever after took in peo¬ 
ple of color. Dear old “Lill!” The subject of this 
narrative never looked, it may be, upon a colored 
face without thinking of you as a friend of Jesus, 
and as an inheritor of a glorious immortality. 

It was during the year 1834 and afterwards that 
Mr. Tappan, accompanied by his long tried and 
devoted friend Mr. Jocelyn, who had moved to New 
York, was accustomed on Sabbath mornings to ex¬ 
plore the streets in the ward where the poor people 
of color chiefly dwelt, visit them in their different 
rooms, inquire into their wants, administer relief, 
give them useful advice, invite them to Sabbath- 
schools, often praying with them. “ He had,” said 
one, “ a deep sense of the worth of the soul, and the 
importance of efforts for the salvation of men.” 

An anecdote of an interesting character has 
been related by a merchant who was accustomed 
to purchase goods of Arthur Tappan, showing the 
hard feelings cherished towards him by unthinking 
and prejudiced persons, and how they were over¬ 
come by the Christian conduct of the abused man. 
This merchant said he was travelling in a public 
conveyance, and heard one of the passengers vio- 


200 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


lently abusing Mr. Tappan. He replied, “ I was 
formerly of the same opinion with yourself, and 
believed that man as much of a hypocrite as you 
do ; but I ascertained that he was a humble Chris¬ 
tian, and a praying, godly man. Once, while pur¬ 
chasing goods of him, I noticed a poor woman who 
came to solicit charity, and I heard him promise to 
call and see her. I had the curiosity, when he left 
the store, to follow him. I saw him enter the lowly 
dwelling, and listened at the door to inquiries he 
made, the prayer he offered, and his offer of pecu¬ 
niary assistance. Now, as long as I live, I will 
never speak evil of that man again, nor hear him 
abused, without lifting up my voice in his behalf, 
for I know him to be a true philanthropist and a 
man of God.” 

It was seldom that he wrote any thing in defence 
or in explanation of his course on the anti-slavery 
or other reforms, but the following letter, addressed 
to a nephew residing in a foreign land, acquires an 
interest from its being an authentic exposition of 
his own feelings and views during several trying 
periods of his life. 

TO A. F. STODDARD, ESQ., OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND. 

New Haven, Aug. 27,1863. 

My Deak Nephew : I have this day received yours of the 
8th inst. Before this reaches you, the tidings of the death 
of my dear wife will doubtless have reached you. The event 
has made a great inroad on my happiness, but I will not 
murmur, but be thankful that she was spared to me fifty- 
three years ; and now my aspiration is that we may soon be 
reunited where sorrow is unknown. 


LETTER TO A. F. STODDARD. 201 


Respecting my early experience in the anti-slavery cause, 
I have time now to give you but a brief history. When it 
commenced, the news soon reached the South, and a large 
hotel was speedily filled with young Southerners, sons of “ the 
chivalry,” who came on to employ the southern argument, 
the bowie-knife and the pistol, to arrest our proceedings. 
By employing a young man to go to the same hotel to board, 
I found out their plans, and took the necessary precautions 
to elude them. My family was at the time living in this city, 
and I lodged in a building where rooms were let without 
board, and very near where the Southerners were congre¬ 
gated. Learning that they had fixed on the night for attack¬ 
ing me, and had provided tar to give me a coat of it on the 
coming Sabbath night, I, with a friend, left the city and 
spent the day up the North river. By changing my place of 
lodgings I again frustrated their attempt to get me. 

It was our first object to get an anti-slavery society 
formed, and a time and place were agreed on. When the 
time came, we discovered that the enemy were on our track, 
and we went as privately as possible to another place ; 
but by the time we were fairly at work, our enemies were 
upon us, and we hastily finished by adopting a constitution 
and appointing the officers, and escaped by the rear entrance 
while the mob were forcing the front door. 

The only overt act of mine in the way of amalgamation, 
that I remember, was my giving a seat in my pew in Dr. 
Cox’s church to a clergyman who, as I entered the church, 
was humbly waiting at the door for some one to invite him 
in, though he lived in the city, had a congregation (colored) 
of his own, and was but slightly tinged with the despised 
color, and I may add, was highly respected as a colored man ; 
yet so great was the offence I committed, that the occupants 
of one or more neighboring pews withdrew from the society, 
and a great ferment was occasioned. 

Though I advocated the sentiment that as Christians we 
were bound to treat the colored people without respect to 
color, yet I felt that great prudence was requisite to bring 
about the desired change in public feeling on the subject; 
and therefore, though I would willingly, so far as my own 

9* 


202 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


feelings were concerned, have publicly associated with a well 
educated and refined colored person, male or female, I felt 
that their best good would be promoted by my refraining 
from doing so till the public mind and conscience were more 
enlightened on the subject. If, therefore, you should know 
of any one’s charging me with any gross assault on the fas¬ 
tidiousness of the age, when I became the avowed friend of 
the colored man, you may set it down to the score of igno¬ 
rance or malignant falsehood. As to the assertion, that I 
understand is made against me on your side of the ocean, 
that I or any other one of my family have ever put arms into 
the hands of colored men or women in New York or any¬ 
where else, it is without the slightest foundation. If the 
publication of what I have stated will be of any use in cor¬ 
recting public sentiment with you, please to use it. 

With kind regards to your family, I am affectionately 

Your uncle, 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


HOB VIOLENCE. 


203 


XII. 

Extensive manifestations of mob violence were 
commenced in the summer of 1834, in tlie city of 
New York, and for two years or more prevailed in 
other cities and villages in different parts of the 
country. They were instigated by a servile press, 
and aided by unscrupulous politicians, who found in 
the apathy of a large majority of the people, oppor¬ 
tunity to work upon the passions of the masses, in 
attempts to stifle free inquiry and free speech on 
the subject of American slavery. 

Arrangements had been made by the executive 
committee of the American Anti-slavery Society to 
have a public meeting on the fourth of July, in 
Chatham-street chapel, to celebrate the anniversary 
of American Independence. It was thought to be 
a fitting occasion to speak of the rights of man, 
and to advocate universal freedom on a day conse¬ 
crated by our forefathers to the maintenance of the 
unalienable rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit 
of happiness,” intended to be secured to themselves, 
their descendants, and all the inhabitants of the 
land, then and thereafter, to all generations. 

David Paul Beown, Esq., an eminent lawyer of 
Philadelphia, who had for many years been the 
friend and legal adviser of the people of color, 
bond and free, was invited to deliver an oration. A 
hymn was written for the occasion by J ohn Gkeen- 


204 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


leaf Whittier, to be sung by a select choir, con¬ 
cluding in these words: 

“And grant, O Father! that the time 
Of earth’s deliverance may be near, 

When every land and tongue and clime 
The message of thy love shall hear— 

“When smitten as with ffre from heaven, 

The captive’s chain shall sink in dust; 

And to his fettered soul be given 

The glorious freedom of the just!” 

The Declaration of Independence, and the decla¬ 
ration of sentiments adopted by the society at its 
formation, were also to be read. 

A large audience was convened; a solemn ad¬ 
dress was offered to the Throne of Grace, the Dec¬ 
laration of Independence was read, but when the 
declaration of sentiments was commenced, it became 
manifest that hundreds of young men who sat near 
the doors had determined if possible to prevent its 
being heard. At length, however, the reader’s voice 
and perseverance triumphed over the noisy demon¬ 
strations. When the orator of the day, however, 
had uttered but a sentence or two the exclamations 
were so loud, and the derisive cheers so boisterous, 
that, after several attempts to proceed, he felt 
obliged to desist, and the meeting came to an ab¬ 
rupt termination, amid the hurrahs of the rioters. 

On the following Monday, July 7, an article ap¬ 
peared in the Courier and Enquirer , a daily paper 
edited by James Watson Webb, ridiculing Mr. 
Brown’s attempt to deliver his oration, and throw- 


MEETING OF COLORED PEOPLE. 205 


ing obloquy upon the abolitionists, while it misrep¬ 
resented their sentiments. No one could fail to 
understand the animus of the concluding para¬ 
graph: “However much we may regret such irreg¬ 
ularities as those at Chatham-street chapel, it must 
be borne in mind that it is the Tappanists who pro¬ 
duce them.” 

The evening of the 7th had been selected by the 
people of color to celebrate their anniversary, and 
listen to an oration on American independence by 
one of their own number, Mr. Hughes. The New 
York Sacred Music Society, had a lease of the 
chapel for every Monday and Thursday evening. 
As they were not to use it for the evening of the 
7tli, an arrangement had been made by which the 
colored people could have possession on that even¬ 
ing. One of the officers of the society, Dr. Bock- 
well, who had not been apprized of the fact, on 
passing by and seeing the building lighted up, 
stepped in to see the reason of it. Supposing, as 
was stated, that leave had been given to the colored 
people to use the room in violation of the agree¬ 
ment with the society, he was highly incensed, and 
commanded the speaker, who was in the midst of 
his oration, to desist, and ordered the audience to 
disperse. 

The officers of the meeting not being disposed to 
obey the order, Dr. Bockwell and some members of 
the society, who had come there ignorant of the 
arrangements by which the colored people were in 
possession of the room for that evening, proceeded 


206 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


to remove the occupants of the platform by force. 
Resistance was made and the blacks overpowered 
the whites. A portion of the furniture was de¬ 
stroyed during the melee. 

The Courier and Enquirer of July 8/seized the 
occasion to defame the colored people and the abo¬ 
litionists, and to stir up the populace to vengeance 
against them. The editor, under the heading of 
“ Negro Riot ,” said : 

Another of those disgraceful negro outrages, with which 
our city has been afflicted for some days, and with which we 
shall continue to be annoyed, until Arthur Tappan and his 
troop of incendiaries shall be put down by the strong arm of 
the law, occurred last night, at that common focus of pollution, 
Chatham-street chapel. During the afternoon of Monday, 
July 7, a black fellow, named Hughes, was to deliver an ora¬ 
tion on the subject of American Independence, to a congre¬ 
gation of blackamoors at Chatham-street chapel. The New 
Yoke; Sacked Music Society have a lease of the building for 
Monday and Thursday evening of each week, and had as¬ 
sembled as usual for the purpose of practice, when to their 
utter astonishment they found the orchestra filled up with 
negroes and negresses. The Vice-president and members of 
the Sacred Music Society, after the blacks had commenced 
their proceeding, insisted upon their right to the room, etc. 

The riot at the chapel last evening was a riot commenced 
and carried on by the negroes themselves. The white citi¬ 
zens present were there with no disposition to disturb the 
blacks. It was the Sacred Music Society alone that inter¬ 
fered, as they were fully justified in doing : and when they 
mildly insisted on their clear rights they were beaten—yes, 
beaten, fellow-citizens, by the bludgeons of an infuriated 
and an encouraged negro mob ! How much longer are we to 
submit ? In the name of the country, in the name of heav¬ 
en, how much more are we to bear from Arthur Tappan ’s 
mad impertinence ? 


JAMES WATSON WEBB. 


207 


Such was the perversion of facts, and such the 
too successful efforts made to stir up the populace 
to take vengeance against the despised people of 
color and their anti-slavery friends. The editor of 
the New York Evening Post , of the 8th of July, re¬ 
marked: “The story is told in the morning journals, 
in very inflammatory language, and the whole blame 
is cast upon the negroes; yet it seems to us, from 
those very statements themselves, that, as usual, 
there have been faults on both sides, and more 
especially on the side of the whites.” 

In another editorial in the Courier and Enquirer 
of Wednesday, July 9, headed “The Fanatics,” it 
was said: 

A meeting was held at Clinton Hall last night for the pur¬ 
pose, we believe, of again discussing the question of immedi¬ 
ate abolition. . . . There were about fifty negroes, male and 
female, present, and about twice that number of white peo¬ 
ple. Learning that there is to be another meeting to-night 
at Chatham-street chapel, we caution the colored people of 
this city against it. No one who saw the temper which per¬ 
vaded last night can doubt that if the blacks continue to 
allow themselves to be made the tools of a few blind zealots, 
the consequences to them will be most serious. 

The above inflammable article seems to have 
been a sheer fabrication, as none of the prominent 
people of color, or abolitionists, heard of any such 
meeting. 

In the Courier and Enquirer of Thursday, July 
10, was an account of the proceedings of the mob 
under the head of “ Disturbances in the City.” The 
paper states that a considerable crowd collected in 
front of the entrance to the chapel, (the gates of 


208 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


which were closed,) and remained for some time in 
silence, as if waiting to learn the result. “ No indi¬ 
cations of a meeting, however, were apparent,” said 
the editor; but, in the same paper, he afterwards 
said, “it seems that a meeting was held; the mayor 
appeared accompanied by the district attorney and 
some police officers, and the meeting hastily ad¬ 
journed.” 

The only meeting held, it is believed, was that of 
the rioters, who were in search of the law-abiding 
abolitionists, and the peaceable people of color, de¬ 
termined on creating a disturbance in compliance 
with the insidious intimations given by the profligate 
paper alluded to. As they fled from the chapel 
there was a cry of “To the Bowery! to the Bowery!” 
but a portion of the assemblage proceeded to the 
house of Lewis Tappan, No. 40 Bose-street. The 
Courier and Enquirer , well versed in the art of sup¬ 
pressing facts, or fabricating them, disposed of 
this attack by simply saying, “We learn that a 
brickbat was thrown into one of the windows; but 
no other injury was then done.” 

A portion of the rioters repaired to the Bowery 
theatre, to be revenged on one of the actors who, it 
was reported, had used some “ disrespectful expres¬ 
sions towards the American people.” A body of 
watchmen with their clubs came down the Bowery, 
and about the same number shortly after from the 
park. The theatre was closed, and a few persons 
collected in the rear, on Elizabeth-street, and broke 
some windows. 


SACKING OF L. TAPPAN’S HOUSE. 209 


About lialf past nine o’clock, a bell was rung, 
and a cry arose of “ Away to Arthur Tappan’s!” A 
great number then proceeded to the house of Lewis 
Tappan, his wife and children being at the time 
with him at Harlem. They broke open the door, 
smashed the blinds and windows, the looking-glass¬ 
es, crockeryware, and threw the furniture into the 
street. The mob next lighted a fire and fed it with 
the beds and bedding taken from the house. 

Mr. Arthur Tappan, being in the city, went to the 
house of his brother, muffled up so as not to be 
recognized, mixed with the rioters, and afterwards 
repaired, with Mr. Jocelyn, to the office of the mayor, 
whom they persuaded to send to the house a posse 
of the police, to disperse the mob. This was attend¬ 
ed with some success. He heard one of the officers 
inquire, “ Who is that man ? ” and on being told, the 
officer said, “ I shall not be able to protect him if it 
is known that he is here.” The name was being 
called on every side, with curses. “He had better 
leave,” said the officer. At this time an alarm of 
fire was ordered to be sounded, which brought the 
engines to the spot, and order was finally restored 
at this place. 

Hon. Schuyler Colfax, now Vice-President of 
the United States, being then a boy and living in 
New York, his native city, had the curiosity, with 
thousands of other persons, to visit the scene of mob 
violence the next day, relates that the impressions 
he then received against the “institution of slavery” 
had an abiding influence. The sacrifice of property, 


210 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


in the loss of furniture and the damage to the house, 
was a small sacrifice upon the altar of freedom, 
especially when it made such an impression on one 
who has since become both an ornament and a bless¬ 
ing to his country.* 

A feverish state prevailed throughout the city on 
Thursday, and it was evident that the rioters had 
greatly increased in numbers, in strength, and in 
intentions of mischief. Indications were very ap¬ 
parent that they intended to attack Mr. Tappan’s 
store, in Pearl-street, Hanover square. Numbers of 
persons were prowling about, and some ventured to 
throw stones and break some of the windows. By 
the advice of the mayor the store was defended, 
night and day, with firearms, the clerks and several 
men engaged for the emergency at all times ready 
to use them if occasion required. Mr. Tappan was 
at the store day and night, overseeing and directing 
all the movements for the defence of the property. 
He directed that no violence should be offered to 
the assailants, unless they obtained entrance by 
breaking in the doors and windows. 

The editor of the Commercial Advertiser stated 
that Assistant Alderman Johnson, one of the coun¬ 
sel of Rev. Dr. Janeway, owner of Chatham-street 
chapel, had called upon him and requested the inser¬ 
tion of the following Caed: “The owners of the 
Chatham-street chapel have been assured by the 
lessee” (Mr. William Green) “ that no meeting on the 
subject of slavery shall be hereafter held in the building . 

* See Appendix 6, for Mr. Colfax’s letter. 


ATTACK ON MR. TAPPAN’S STORE. Ill 

The chapel will be closed this evening, until Sunday 
next, and then opened only for public worship.” 

On Thursday night, July 10th, an attack was 
made on the store. Almost every pane of glass at 
the front end of the store was broken, but the per¬ 
petrators of the mischief feared to proceed farther, 
being apprised that a large force from within would 
open fire upon them if they persisted in their de¬ 
signs. The next day the windows and doors on the 
front of -the store were barricaded, and at night 
a number of men, as before, armed with muskets, 
stood prepared for any onset that might be made. 

Large crowds of people had been through the 
day constantly passing back and forward in the 
vicinity of the house of Lewis Tappan. At night 
the number of persons assembled there became im¬ 
mense, and they branched off into different direc¬ 
tions. Some gathered about the gate of the Chat- 
ham-street chapel, but finding it was not open they 
soon left the spot. Others proceeded to the church 
of Rev. Dr. Cox, at the corner of Laight and Yarick 
streets, and others to his dwelling house on Charl¬ 
ton near McDougal-street. In both places, before 
the watch arrived, they broke a few windows, but 
the timely interference of the police, and a small 
detachment of cavalry and infantry that came to 
their aid by command of the mayor, prevented 
farther injury. 

The mob also visited the houses of John Rankin, 
William Green, Rev. H. G. Ludlow, and the office of 
McDowall’s Journal. The churches and schools of 


212 


AKTHUK TAPPAN. 


the colored people were also marked out for the 
vengeance of the infuriated multitude. 

On Friday afternoon, July 11th, the mayor issued 
a proclamation, which was posted in every part of 
the city, requiring and commanding all good citi¬ 
zens to unite in aid of the civil authorities, to put an 
end to these disreputable occurrences. Major-Gene¬ 
ral Morton issued an order, directing the several 
brigades of his division to be on their respective 
parade grounds at 4 o’clock, p. M., on Saturday the 
12tli, to assist the civil authorities in putting down 
the rioters. The military and civil forces assembled 
from time to time the ensuing week. At the same 
time the whole body of the city police were put in 
requisition, and a large force of military, consisting 
of cavalry and infantry, amounting, it was said, to a 
division of troops, was ordered out, and the next 
day stationed at the arsenal, to be ready in case 
their interference should be required. 

The “respectable” portion of the community, 
that had, thus far, looked on with indifference, or a 
willingness to see the hated band of abolitionists pun¬ 
ished to a certain extent by popular violence, began 
to be alarmed for the safety of their own property, 
it being reported that the mob intended to make 
some demonstrations in Wall-street, where the mon¬ 
eyed institutions of the city were principally situated. 
The persons interested w T ere at length aroused to 
stimulate and sustain the magistracy in efforts to 
suppress disorder and defend the rights of the citi¬ 
zens, abolitionists included. And ere long the su- 


CHURCHES ATTACKED. 


213 


premacy of the laws was amply maintained by the 
military force under arms, prepared to sally forth at 
short notice, to suppress crime, and guard the pub¬ 
lic peace. Meantime the riotous acts were continu¬ 
ed, the law-breaking individuals, justly supposing, 
it may be, that the imbecile mayor only meant a 
feint by issuing the proclamation and summoning a 
military force, as while exhorting the people to 
abstain from breaking the laws, he had seen fit to 
allude to the doctrines and measures of the aboli¬ 
tionists, as the acts of “ a few misguided individu¬ 
als,” in a way not calculated to allay popular fer¬ 
ment. 

On this night, Dr. Cox’s church was again at¬ 
tacked, and the windows demolished. The Presby¬ 
terian church on Spring-street, of which Rev. H. G. 
Ludlow was pastor, was assailed by the mob, who 
very deliberately prepared themselves for a regular 
attack upon this edifice. They placed a barricade 
of carts and wagons across the street, in order to 
prevent the military and authorities from interfering 
with the designs of the multitude, and then com¬ 
menced a fire of stones and missiles at the church. 
By such means the doors and windows were smash¬ 
ed, and the crowd made a rush for the interior. 
The building was instantly filled to overflowing, the 
organ, pulpit and pews demolished, and the infuria¬ 
ted mob were in the act of tearing down the galle¬ 
ries, when a troop of cavalry arrived and put an end 
to their proceedings, after the rioters had been for 
a long time undisputed masters. The mob then 


214 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


passed up Laurens-street, to the house of the pas¬ 
tor, whose family had retired. Here they broke 
in the windows and doors. A company of military 
appeared, formed in line, and the mob speedily quit 
the place. 

On their way down the city they broke some of 
the windows in the colored church, comer of Leonard 
and Church streets. They also materially injured 
the colored church in Centre-street, near Anthony. 
The windows were broken, and the interior much 
damaged. The house of the minister, adjoining, 
Lev. Mr. Williams, shared no better fate. For one 
or two hours the mob were left undisputed masters 
of the ground. Four or five houses, occupied by 
colored persons, in Mulberry-street, were complete¬ 
ly despoiled. A colored barber, named Davis, in 
Orange-street, whose property to the amount of 
several hundred dollars was destroyed, fired four 
musket shots at the assailants, and wounded one 
man. 

The attacks of the mob, consisting of two to 
three thousand persons, in the neighborhood of the 
Five Points, were directed to all the houses known 
to be occupied by blacks. A dozen or more in 
Orange, Mulberry, Elm, and Centre streets, occu¬ 
pied by colored people, were more or less injured, 
the roofs torn from several, and the furniture they 
contained was either burned or broken to pieces. 
Among them was the “Mutual Relief Society Hall,” 
in Orange-street. The house of a colored man in 
Leonard-street was forced open, and robbed of $192 


DISCLAIMER. 


215 


in specie, four watches, and other articles. Other 
acts of wanton barbarity committed in the neigh¬ 
borhood, were reported in the newspapers. 

While the watchmen and peace officers were en¬ 
gaged in quelling this mob, a third mob, amounting 
to some thousands, gathered in front of Arthur 
. Tappan’s store in Pearl-street, and threatened de¬ 
molition to that establishment. To accomplish their 
purpose the more readily, the crowd had caused a 
load of stones to be dumped nea^ the store and had 
supplied themselves with brickbats from the ruins 
of a recent fire in Pearl-street, which they might 
have used with effect, had not Justice Lowndes, 
accompanied by a company of watchmen, appeared 
just as the attack began, when, after a few minutes, 
there was not a rioter to be seen. 

At two o’clock on Saturday morning the rioters 
had generally dispersed, though the police and mili¬ 
tary were still on duty. The depredations, it was 
evident, were not committed by the same persons, 
but by different bodies. The tranquillity was undis¬ 
turbed during Saturday and Sunday. 

On Saturday, July 12th, a handbill was posted 
in different parts of the city, as follows: 

AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY—DISCLAIMER. 

The undersigned, in behalf of the executive committee of 
the “American Anti-Slavery Society,” and of other leading 
friends of the cause, now absent from the city, beg the atten¬ 
tion of their fellow-citizens to the following disclaimer : 

1. We entirely disclaim any desire to promote or encour¬ 
age intermarriages between white and colored persons. 

2, We disclaim, and utterly disapprove, the language of a 


216 ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

handbill recently circulated in this city, the tendency of 
which is thought to be to excite resistance to the laws. Our 
principle is, that even hard laws are to be submitted to by all 
men, until they can by peaceable means be altered. 

3. "We disclaim, as we have already done, any intention to 
dissolve the Union, or to violate the constitution and laws of 
the country; or to ask of Congress any act transcending their 
constitutional powers; which the abolition of slavery by 
Congress, in any state, would plainly do. 

ARTHUR TAPPAN, 
JOHN RANKIN. 

On the 17th July, several members of the execu¬ 
tive committee of the American Anti-Slavery Socie¬ 
ty addressed a letter to Mayor Lawrence, in which 
they presented a statement of facts, showing that 
they had neither done nor designed anything incon¬ 
sistent with their duty as patriots, as Christians, as 
friends of the Union, and of the peace and prosper¬ 
ity of the city. The letter concludes as follows: 

Having thus expressed our principles, and disclaimed a 
few of the numerous charges promulgated against us, we do 
not wish to trouble you, or the Common Council, with more 
detailed expositions, not being conscious that we ought to 
recant or relinquish any principle or measure we have adopt¬ 
ed, and being willing as free American citizens, to live and 
die by the constitution of our society, and the declaration of 
the National Anti-Slavery Convention. 

We herewith transmit to you a copy of each of the pub¬ 
lications issued by the society since its formation, and have 
the honor to be 

Your fellow-citizens, respectfully, 

ARTHUR TAPPAN, 
JOHN RANKIN, 

E. WRIGHT, Jr., 
JOSHUA LEAVITT, 
WILLIAM GOODELL, 
LEWIS TAPPAN, 

New York, July 17,1834. SAMUEL E. CORNISH. 


YILLANOUS SENTIMENTS. 


217 


“ The communication was treated with great con¬ 
tempt by the Board of Aldermen, although a per¬ 
fectly respectful document,” said the Evening Post. 

It is manifest that an effectual stop could have 
been put to the riotous proceedings had the pub¬ 
lic authorities been prompt and efficient in using the 
police force. Their culpable apathy was notorious. 
The maddened rioters, intoxicated with success, and 
believing that the magistracy of the city winked at 
the tumult, were prepared to molest the moneyed 
interests of the city, including the property of some 
of these magistrates. Then, and not till then, was 
the majesty of the law displayed; and the riot 
quickly subsided. 

The editor of the Courier and Enquirer , above 
all other editors of the daily press, had employed 
his utmost skill to inflame the public mind and 
bring about the discomfiture of the anti-slavery 
party. On Friday, July 11th, he said: “ It is time 
for the reputation of the city and perhaps for the 
welfare of themselves, that these abolitionists and 
amalgamators should know the ground on which 
they stand. Now we tell them, that when they 
openly and publicly promulgate doctrines which 
outrage public feelings they have no right to de¬ 
mand protection from the people they thus insult.” 

This was said, while in the same paper, the edi¬ 
tor professed that it was “a painful task” to record 
the mischief he himself had instigated. “ Deeply 
indeed,” he says, “is the state of things to be de¬ 
plored.” Again, in his paper of July 14th, he 
10 


218 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


stated: “ On the whole, we trust the immediate 
abolitionists and amalgamators will now see in the 
proceedings of the last few days, sufficient proof 
that the people of New York have determined to 
prevent the propagation among them of their wick¬ 
ed and absurd doctrines, much less to permit the 
practice of them. If we have been instrumental in 
producing this desirable state of public feeling, we 
take pride in it. Let our political opponents make 
the most of the avowal. New York will henceforth 
not permit the ears of her people to be polluted by 
tenets that degrade Christianity, are an insult to 
common sense, and threaten the greatest disasters 
to the inhabitants of many of our sister states.” 

He goes on to say: “The indications of public 
indignation which have been exhibited against this 
church [Dr. Cox’s] have induced six of the trustees 
to call upon us with a request that we would state 
to the public that of the nine trustees who represent 
the congregation only one approves of the doctrines 
and opinions of Dr. Cox, and not one-fortieth of his 
congregation coincide with him on the subject of 
immediate abolition.” 

During all this period, Mr. Tappan was enabled 
to retain his accustomed composure and firmness, 
carrying on his large business as usual, bent on dis¬ 
charging his duty fearlessly, as a citizen and Chris¬ 
tian, let the consequences to himself be what they 
might. He put his trust, not in an arm of flesh, but 
in that Being who causeth the wrath of man to 
praise him, while the remainder he restrains. 


THE NEW YOKE PRESS. 


219 


Tlie New York papers, with only one or two ex¬ 
ceptions, had denounced the abolitionists, and con¬ 
tinued to misrepresent them. The Courier and En¬ 
quirer, edited by James Watson Webb, was the most 
virulent, and the Commercial Advertiser, edited by 
William L. Stone, the most unscrupulous, if possible, 
while the New York Times, the Journal of Commerce, 
the Neiv York Evening Star, the New York Mercan¬ 
tile Advertiser, the Truth Teller, and New York Ob¬ 
server, followed in the train, misrepresenting and 
abusing the abolitionists and the people of color. 

Better things were expected of the American, 
edited by Charles King, whose family had professed 
to espouse the cause of freedom, but even he could 
now say: “The grand jury have their duty to per¬ 
form at the present exigency, and one of the first we 
hold to be, to indict Dr. Cox, Mr. Tappan, and their 
associates as PUBLIC NUISANCES. W r e are 
credibly informed, that among our most respectable 
citizens there is testimony enough in relation to their 
share in the present shameful proceedings, to sus¬ 
tain a bill against them.” 

Posterity will be surprised that the editor of the 
New York Observer, a professed evangelical paper, 
should have published the following: “It is said 
that abolitionists agitate the subject of slavery in a 
way that endangers the safety of the South and 
the Union of the States. This is true. It is true 
that some of the most conspicuous of the abolition¬ 
ists are wild and reckless incendiaries, and if they 
should succeed in infusing their spirit into the mass 


220 


AETHUE TAPPAN. 


of tlie population at the North, civil war would be 
excited in the South, and there would bq an end at 
once to our happy union.” 

While the city press generally, including one or 
more of the religious journals, was in violent oppo¬ 
sition to the abolitionists, the New York Evening 
Post , a democratic political paper, edited by Will¬ 
iam Leggett, who was not at the time an abolition¬ 
ist, came out manfully in opposition to the riots, and 
to the quasi support given to them by the daily and 
weekly press, and in vindication of the colored peo¬ 
ple, and their friends. He said: “ The fury of de¬ 
mons seems to have entered into the breasts of our 
misguided populace. Like those ferocious animals 
which, having once tasted blood, are seized with an 
insatiable thirst for gore, they have had an appetite 
awakened for outrage, which nothing but the most 
extended and indiscriminate destruction seems capa¬ 
ble of appeasing. The cabin of the poor negro, and 
the temple dedicated to the service of the living 
God, are alike the objects of their blind fury. The 
rights of private and public property, the obliga¬ 
tions of law, the authority of its ministers, and even 
the power of the military, are all equally spurned 
by these audacious sons of riot and disorder.” 

The progress this intrepid and distinguished 
man afterwards made in anti-slavery principles is 
shown in a letter he addressed to a friend: 

Aylemere, New Rochelle, N. Y., October 24,1838. 

Wliat I am most afraid of is, that some of my friends, in 
their too earnest zeal, [referring to the Congressional election 


LETTER OF WILLIAM LEGGETT. 221 


of 1838, wlien Mr. Leggett was a candidate in the nominating 
committee,] will place me in a false position before the pub¬ 
lic on the slavery subject. I am an abolitionist. I hate 
slavery in all its forms, degrees, and influences ; and I deem 
myself bound by the highest moral and political obligations, 
not to let that sentiment of hate lie dormant and smoulder¬ 
ing in my own breast, but to give it free vent, and let it 
blaze forth that it may kindle equal ardor through the whole 
sphere of my influence. I would not have this fact disguised 
or mystified, for any office the people have it in their power 
to give. Rather, a thousand times rather, would I again 
meet the denunciations of Tammany hall, and be stigmatized 
with all the foul epithets with which the anti-abolition vocab¬ 
ulary abounds, than recant or deny one tittle of my creed. 
Abolition is, in my sense, a necessary and a glorious part of 
democracy ; and I hold the right and the duty to discuss the 
subject of slavery, and to expose its hideous evils in all its 
bearings, moral, social, and political, as of infinitely higher 
moment than to carry fifty sub-treasury bills. 

. . . And here let me add, I would not, if I could, have my 
name disjoined from abolitionism. To be an abolitionist, is 
to be an “ incendiary” now. . . . The stream of public opin¬ 
ion now sets against us ; but it is about to turn, and the re¬ 
gurgitation will be tremendous. Proud in that day may well 
be the man who can float in triumph on the first refluent 
wave, swept onward by the deluge which he himself, in ad¬ 
vance of his fellows, had largely shared in occasioning. Such 
be my fate! and, living or dead, it will, in some measure, be 
mine. I have written my name in ineffaceable letters on the 
abolition record, and whether the reward ultimately come in 
the shape of honors to the living man, or a tribute to the 
memory of a departed one, I would not forfeit my right to it 

for as many offices as-has in his gift, if each of them was 

greater than his own.° 

The following statement is furnished by Kev. S. 
S. Jocelyn: 

The address of Mayor Lawrence, after the night of the 

* See 2d vol., pp. 335, “Life and Writings of Wm. Leggett.” 


222 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


mob, breaking your furniture and burning part of it in the 
street before the house, was posted all about the city. Though 
it called upon the citizens to preserve law and order, it rather 
inflamed the populace by its reference to the “misguided 
abolitionists,” who, it was intimated, had uttered inflammatory 
sentiments, and were guilty of reprehensible conduct. Those 
were indeed days of darkness. Satanic power seemed to pre¬ 
vail, reminding one of the hour of darkness at the time of 
the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ. Men’s faces gathered 
blackness. Mr. Arthur Tappan, and others of our number, 
were looked upon as public enemies, seeking to annihilate 
all the valuable interests of the nation, all the (so called) 
sacred rights of the Southern States, and the commerce of 
the city. 

I recollect the fearful night when the mob in great force 
threatened to break into Mr. Tappan’s store, and destroy 
both property and life. I was in the store part of the time, 
and also mingled with the crowd, and heard the mutterings. 
“These Tappans, Arthur and Lewis, are always making 
trouble; they tried to get up Sunday mail laws ; now they 
are engaged in abolition acts; it is time they were stopped .” 
It was noised about that there was a sufficient provision of 
arms and men in the store, and that Mr. Tappan intended to 
use them in defence of his property and rights. This did 
more to keep the peace than all the police or military forces 
outside. The clerks in Mr. Tappan’s employ, and several 
friends who volunteered tlieir services, were in the store, fully 
armed, and ready to stand by the life and property of the 
assailed. 

During all this time Mr. Tappan was as firm as man 
could be. He moved about quietly and coolly, giving direc¬ 
tions, animating his friends by his bearing and words. 
While he placed all due reliance upon the force organized in 
the store, he evidently looked up to the God of the oppress¬ 
ed as his chief defender. On Saturday the bank directors, 
and the principal merchants, began to be apprehensive for 
the safety of their own treasures and goods. The mob had 
become more and more emboldened and reckless, seeking 
not only to wreak their vengeance upon obnoxious individu- 


MR. JOCELYN’S NARRATIVE. 223 


als, but to plunder the banks. Moneyed men were exceed¬ 
ingly frightened at the apparent strength and violence of the 
mob, and the possible results of the storm that was raging, 
upon which they had hitherto looked with unconcern. 

Some of the friends of Mr. Tappan’s family, who did not 
sympathize with him in his anti-slavery opinions, were appre¬ 
hensive that his life was in danger; they recalled to his recol¬ 
lection that rewards were offered for his head, and that it 
was said, a vessel was prepared to take him South. To allay 
their fears he promised to spend the ensuing Lord’s day in 
the country, and accordingly he left with me Saturday after¬ 
noon for Poughkeepsie. We stopped at the City hotel, 
attended church, and returned to New York Monday 
morning. 

Mr. Tappan’s family lived at this time at New Haven, and 
he had lodgings at the house in Cedar-street where I boarded. 
On our return from Poughkeepsie we found soldiers stationed 
in our rooms. We were told that during Saturday night 
men were seen lurking about the house, and their conversa¬ 
tion was heal’d by some of the inmates. They seemed to be 
concocting mischief, and at length agreed upon a time to 
come again and seize Mr. Tappan. They came, but on see¬ 
ing soldiers about, guarding the premises, they went away. 
On the Sabbath also parties were seen hovering about; but 
fearing, as it seemed, the armed force, no violence was 
attempted. Mr. Tappan went to his store on Monday as 
usual, and continued to do so daily, with the calmness becom¬ 
ing the great benevolent and Christian principles that ani¬ 
mated him, filling his soul, and banishing all fears of conse¬ 
quences. 

At one time I had a room contiguous to his at a boarding¬ 
house, and there was a door between them. He often invi¬ 
ted me into his apartment, where we sat and sometimes 
prayed together. The childlike simplicity and deep rever¬ 
ence of his prayers were peculiar. I saw him occasionally 
also in his house. His tenderness and courtesy in domestic 
life were very happy. Both he and Mrs. Tappan sympa¬ 
thized with and aided me in my labors among the colored 
people. I always had a most welcome reception from them, 


224 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


and all their family. His influence was highly spiritual, and 
blessed to his family and those intimate friends, who best 
knew how to appreciate his excellent traits of character. 

The brevity and explicitness of his style of conversation 
were in harmony with his mode of speaking, either as a pre¬ 
siding officer of a public meeting, or a chairman of a com¬ 
mittee, though when perfectly released from care, he could 
be for a time fluent, and no stranger to humor, enjoying a 
stroke of pleasant wit, especially if it had a good moral ele¬ 
ment. 

The Church of Christ, with all its defects, was dear to 
him, and hence his fidelity to it in endeavoring to remove its 
blemishes, especially the giant sin of slavery and the sin of 
caste, which was so exceeding great at the North. God, who 
heard his prayers, permitted him as well as ourselves to see 
the day of deliverance to the slave and the nation, and to wit¬ 
ness a great change for the better, in the churches on these 
subjects. Formerly, instead of regard for anti-slavery efforts, 
many of them exhibited decided opposition. A great change 
for the better, but still how slow the abolition of caste ! I 
have often witnessed his sensibility when conversing upon 
the wrongs and sufferings of others, and remember well his 
deep emotion, even shedding tears, on hearing statements of 
the Christian Commission during the civil war. 


LANE SEMINARY. 


225 


XIII. 

Me. Tappan took great interest in the election of 
Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher of Boston to be the senior^ 
professor of Lane Seminary, near Cincinnati. It 
was owing to him chiefly that the appointment took 
place. For many years he had been desirous of 
promoting education at the West, especially of 
young men for the Christian ministry in the valley 
of the Mississippi. It was therefore with peculiar 
gratification that he had induced a man of such 
eminent qualifications to assume the oversight of 
this theological school. His satisfaction was much 
increased when he learned that a large number of 
the students of Oneida Institute, in the state of 
New York, had decided to resort to Lane Seminary 
to prosecute their studies. He encouraged the 
trustees in the enterprise, and held out to them 
expectations of liberal pecuniary aid. 

While the students were pursuing their studies 
with energy and success, and interesting themselves 
in the great topics of the day, preparatory to enter¬ 
ing upon the duties and responsibilities of life, the 
anti-slavery cause, among other questions, came up 
for discussion. The students had already formed 
societies for different objects, such as, for Inquiry 
on Missions, for Mutual Improvement, a Bible Socie¬ 
ty, a Foreign Mission Society, a Colonization Socie- 
10 * 


226 


ARTHURTAPPAN. 


ty, and a society for Miscellaneous Discussion. 
These societies had been formed without the for¬ 
mality of asking permission either of the faculty or 
the trustees. Neither body took any exception to them. 
When the students saw fit to add to the number an 
Anti-Slavery Society they submitted to Dr. Beecher, 
at his request, the preamble and constitution. He 
expressed his entire approbation of their spirit and 
sentiments. 

The anti-slavery and the colonization questions 
had become exciting ones throughout the whole 
country, and the students deemed it to be their duty 
thoroughly to examine them, in view of their bear¬ 
ing upon their future responsibilities as ministers of 
the gospel. The condition of the colored people in 
the neighborhood, many of whom had escaped from 
bondage in the adjacent states, added to the interest 
felt in these questions. 

The trustees became alarmed, fearing a loss of 
interest in the seminary, a loss of funds, and a loss 
of students. The professors, though generally sym¬ 
pathizing with the students, shared to some extent 
the apprehensions of the trustees, and were unwill¬ 
ing to oppose them. They advised the students not 
to discuss either the anti-slavery or the colonization 
question, as the subjects were exciting, and the dis¬ 
cussion of them would be likely to excite opposition 
in the neighborhood, and might result in serious 
differences among the students themselves. A com¬ 
mittee of students waited on the faculty, and ex¬ 
pressed to them their confidence, that they could 


DOCTRINE LAID DOWN. 


227 


discuss grave moral questions, of deep public inter¬ 
est, without quarrelling among themselves; they 
also stated that they should feel it their duty to 
go forward in the discussion, if it was not prohib¬ 
ited. They were assured that no prohibition was 
intended. The discussion therefore proceeded, and 
was conducted with almost entire unanimity. 

The trustees soon expressed a determination to 
prevent all further discussion of the comparative 
merits of the policy of the Colonization Society, 
and the doctrine of immediate emancipation, either 
in the recitation rooms, the rooms of the students, 
or at the public table; although no objection had 
previously been made to the free discussion of 
any subject whatever. During the vacation that 
followed, in the absence of a majority of the profes¬ 
sors, this purpose was framed into a law, or rule, 
of the seminary, and obedience to it required from 
all. 

The trustees laid down the doctrine that “no 
associations or societies ought to be allowed in the 
seminary, except such as have for their immediate 
object, improvement in the prescribed course of 
studies.” This was followed by an order in these 
words: “ Ordered that the students be required to 
discontinue those societies [the Anti-slavery and 
Colonization societies] in the seminary.” 

When this arbitrary order of the trustees was 
passed, Dr. Beecher was on a journey to New Eng¬ 
land, in the interest of Lane Seminary. In the 
hearing of thousands, at Boston, New York, and 


228 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


other places, he had spoken of the students in high 
terms. “They are,” he said, “a set of noble men, 
whom I would not at a venture exchange for any 
others.” Professor Stowe also “ had vindicated the 
character of the students, asserted their diligence 
in study, their respectful demeanor towards the 
faculty, their obedience to law, and their Christian 
deportment.” 

On his return to the West, and while in New 
York, Dr. Beecher invited several prominent aboli¬ 
tionists to meet him and Eev. Dr. Skinner, at the 
Tract House, on subjects growing out of the recent 
discussions at Lane Seminary. Accordingly, Arthur 
Tappan, John Bankin, S. S. Jocelyn, S. E. Cor¬ 
nish, and several others attended. Dr. Beecher 
stated that he had conferred with leading men, in 
Boston and elsewhere, with respect to the difficul¬ 
ties between the trustees and the students, and he 
had invited the present meeting to see if the dis¬ 
cordance between anti-slavery men and coloniza- 
tionists could not be harmonized. He said that he 
did not think the differences were so great that this 
could not be effected without material sacrifices of 
opinion and feeling. Both parties, he added, be¬ 
lieved slavery to be an evil, and both desired its 
removal, if it could be effected peacefully and on 
righteous principles. 

Dr. Skinner also expressed a hope that conten¬ 
tion would cease, and that Christian men, who aimed 
to promote the welfare of the colored race, would no 
longer be at variance on subjects of so much im- 


MEETING AT THE TRACT HOUSE. 229 


portance, and which involved the peace of the coun¬ 
try and the world. 

They were replied to by Mr. Tappan, and other 
friends of the anti-slavery cause present. They 
stated the principles and aims of the two societies, 
and the measures that had been pursued by them, 
showing that both in principle and conduct, they 
were diverse and in direct opposition. One of them 
considered slaveholding a crime against man and a 
sin against God; that the government had been 
founded on the doctrine of the equality of man be¬ 
fore the law; that * Christianity inculcated love to 
our fellow-men, and discarded prejudice, alienation, 
and tyranny in all their forms; that this country 
was the birthplace and home of the colored man, 
bond and free, and that here he should be allowed 
his freedom, his civil and religious rights; that 
coercing him, directly or indirectly, to leave the 
country was inhuman and unchristian; and that 
genuine love to the people of color would best be 
manifested in administering to their comfort and 
welfare on their native soil. 

Colonizationists, on the other hand, while pro¬ 
fessing to send to Liberia only those who went with 
their own consent, offered, in fact, to the colored 
people, merely a choice between two evils, and choos¬ 
ing either, instead of being a benefit to them, was 
opposed no less to humanity than to the constitu¬ 
tion of the Colonization Society itself. The society 
had its origin, and main support in prejudice against 
color; this caste feeling was strengthened by it; 


230 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


sending to Africa ignorant slaves, emancipated for 
tlie special purpose, and a degraded portion of the 
free people of color, did not tend to the civilization 
and elevation of themselves, or the people of that 
country. Intemperance and war were both fostered 
by sending rum and guns with the expatriated peo¬ 
ple; and the existence of the Colonization Society 
was a hinderance to the prevalence of anti-slavery 
sentiments. The discussions were earnest but mu¬ 
tually respectful and kind. The two reverend gen¬ 
tlemen were assured that all they had said had been 
attentively considered and weighed, but it did not 
remove objections to the Colonization Society, or 
lessen attachment to the anti-slavery cause. 

Dr. Beecher expressed very great surprise and 
disappointment. Being pressed on the subject of 
the recent course of the trustees of Lane Seminary, 
in forbidding discussions on the slavery question, he 
in the most emphatic manner declared that their 
action did not meet his approbation, as he believed 
in the absolute right of the students to confer 
together and discuss the subject of slavery and 
colonization. He also said he would never consent 
to the suppression of such discussion in the Seminary. 

The meeting was closed by a most appropriate 
and fervent prayer, offered by the colored brother, 
Mr. Cornish, suggested, as was felt, by the Holy 
Spirit. He alluded with deep pathos, to the wrongs 
inflicted upon his people, to the wicked prejudice 
and sufferings under which they groaned, to the 
gratitude they felt in hope of deliverance through 


WITHDRAWAL OF STUDENTS. 231 


friends raised up to plead and defend tlieir cause, 
to the injurious influence of other schemes in creat¬ 
ing hostility to the country and to Christianity, and 
he implored the benediction of the Almighty upon 
the advocates of his people, then present, and all of 
similar heart and mind throughout the land. Mr. 
Tappan and the other brethren felt greatly strength¬ 
ened and refreshed by such an utterance. It seemed 
as if the whole body of the people of color was 
pleading at the Throne of Grace. 

Dr. Beecher returned to Lane Seminary. He 
found that the trustees were resolute, the faculty 
fearful and undecided, and the students determined 
and unyielding, repudiating the doctrine laid down 
by the trustees, and the “order” based upon it. Dr. 
Beecher said the “order” could not be repealed at 
present, and advised the students to remain in 
expectation that it might ere long be disregarded. 
They replied that their self-respect and future use¬ 
fulness would not allow of their obedience to the 
“order,” or of their remaining members of a sem¬ 
inary, one of whose laws they should be constrained 
to violate. In what they had already done, they 
had violated no law of the seminary, they had made 
no failure in their duty as students; and in view of 
the assurance that the law or rule would not be 
repealed, they asked and received honorable dis¬ 
missions to any seminary they might desire to unite 
with, and withdrew from Lane Seminary, publish¬ 
ing a “Statement of Reasons,” to which fifty-one 
students attached their signatures. 


232 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


It is an admirable production, both in temper 
and argument, and concludes as follows: 

“Finally, we would respectfully remind the trus¬ 
tees, that even though students of a theological 
seminary, we should be treated as men—that men, 
destined for the service of the world, need, above all 
things in such an age an this, the pure and impar¬ 
tial, the disinterested and magnanimous, the un¬ 
compromising and fearless—in combination with 
the gentle and tender spirit and example of Christ; 
not parleying with wrong, but calling it to repent¬ 
ance; not flattering the proud, but pleading the 
cause of the poor. And we record the hope that 
the glorious stand taken upon the subject of dis¬ 
cussion, and up to the close of the last session, 
maintained by the institution may be early resumed, 
that so the triumph of expediency over right may 
soon terminate, and Lane Seminary be again re¬ 
stored to the glory of its beginning. 

“Cincinnati, Dec. 15, 1834.” 

Dr. Beecher regretted the decision of the stu¬ 
dents, but he did not exercise the wisdom and firm¬ 
ness that the exigency required. He might have 
thrown himself into the breach, and said to the 
trustees: “I have never had such an opportunity; 
I cannot be separated from such ‘noble men;’ you 
must repeal the ‘order,’ or I shall feel constrained 
to put myself at the head of these students and 
lead them elsewhere.” Had he done this, he might 
have saved the seminary from the loss of such a 
band of moral heroes, and gained to himself a repu- 


MR. TAPPAN’S DISAPPOINTMENT. 233 


tation beyond any thing that he had previously 
acquired. 

But, on the contrary, he acquiesced in the arbi¬ 
trary rule of the trustees. A truly noble and fear¬ 
less man in many respects, the opposition that 
prevailed at the seminary and throughout the coun¬ 
try seemed to overcome him. Born to be a leader, 
under some circumstances, this eminent man failed 
at this time in an essential attribute of leadership 
of moral and religious enterprises. He had pre¬ 
viously avowed in his lectures at the seminary, as 
was understood, that true wisdom consists in advo¬ 
cating a cause only so far as the community will 
sustain the reformer. Is this Christian philosophy ? 
Does it accord with the conduct of the prophet 
Daniel, or that of the martyrs and confessors of 
ancient times? Is it possible that the glorified 
spirit of Beecher now approves such a sentiment ? 

Mr. Tappan, though he anticipated good results 
from the decision of the students, was greatly dis¬ 
appointed at the course taken by the trustees and 
the faculty. He had induced Dr. Beecher to leave 
a field of usefulness in Boston, to assume a post 
deemed second to none other in its prospective use¬ 
fulness ; he had promised to endow a professorship, 
or what was equal to it; he placed a high value 
upon the students who had repaired to the institu¬ 
tion to place themselves under the theological and 
ethical teachings of “a master in Israel;” and his 
bright anticipations were, for the moment, eclipsed. 
But good often proceeds from seeming evil. Prov- 


234 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


idence had provided an asylum for the students, 
who had also met with a grievous disappointment; 
and the patron and the students soon rejoiced 
together. 

It was natural that Mr. Tappan should feel 
grieved that one on whom he had so greatly relied, 
one with such rich endowments, with such zeal, 
eloquence, and influence, one who had so “ earnestly 
contended for the faith which was once delivered 
unto the saints,” should, when all these qualifica¬ 
tions seemed gifts of God to be called into exercise 
at such a crisis, have been restrained by his view of 
expediency, overlooking, as would seem, the exam¬ 
ple of those who said: “We ought to obey God 
rather than men.” 

He the more regretted it because it seemed to 
be the settled policy of his clerical friend, with 
regard to moral reforms, as will appear from the 
following statement. At a time subsequent to the 
departure of the students from Lane Seminary, Dr. 
Beecher called at the store of Mr. Tappan, where 
he was remonstrated with for the course he had 
taken at that institution. He justified it, and said, 
“The anti-slavery doctrines, if true, ought not to 
be pushed to such an extremity.” He was respect¬ 
fully asked, “If, doctor, when you preached your 
sermons on intemperance, many years since, you 
had known all the principles connected with the 
temperance reform that you now know, w r ould you 
not have divulged and enforced them at the time?” 
He replied, “ I would not have done it.” 


T. D. WELD’S STATEMENT. 


235 


Mr. Tappan, believing that what is right is the 
highest expediency, considered that a golden op¬ 
portunity had been lost by this venerable man to 
achieve increased influence and more extensive use¬ 
fulness. In view of the history of Lane Seminary 
and Oberlin College impartial men will decide. 

The following letter from Theodoke D. Weld, 
who was one of the students of Lane Seminary, 
gives interesting facts in relation to the exodus of 
the students, besides his estimate of Mr. Tappan’s 
character: 

Hyde Park, Mass., Jan. 1,1870. 

.... I cherish the memory of Arthur Tappan with deep 
reverence, and garner it among my most precious things. 
So simple in all his tastes and habits, so quiet and modest, 
yet so firm, independent, and conscientious, that nothing 
could swerve him from the right—so careful and deliberate 
in forming conclusions, yet instant and indomitable in ex¬ 
ecuting. Economical in spending, yet always bountiful 
in giving. So faithful and true, so scrupulously just in all 
things. Never seeking his own ; of few words, each straight 
to the point, and that a deed, and how often a great one ; so 
earnest in daring for the weak against the strong. The race 
has a right to know more of one of its great benefactors; 
and I rejoice that it is about to get through you some part 
of its due. 

You asked me what I know about Arthur Tappan’s prom¬ 
ise to Mr. Yail of $10,000 for Lane Seminary. I find that 
I cannot recall the details with sufficient accuracy to set the 
whole matter right, and therefore had best not attempt it. 
I had the facts from Mr. Vail, and from your brother, and 
distinctly recall the fact that to me, it seemed perfectly clear 
that, under the circumstances, your brother was fully justi¬ 
fied in taking the course that he did. * 

® A former professor writes : “All I know in respect to Mr. 
Arthur Tappan’s subscription to the funds of Lane Seminary, is 


236 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


You asked me to state what I know of his gifts to the 
colored schools of Cincinnati. When the anti-slavery stu¬ 
dents of Lane Seminary established evening-schools for the 
adults, and day-schools for the children of the three thou¬ 
sand colored of Cincinnati, your brother -wrote to me, saying 
in substance, “Draw on me for whatever is necessary for 
the schools, teachers, househire, books, etc.” 

As the students were occupied with their studies and 
recitations in the daytime, it was necessary for them to get 
others to teach the day-schools, and as none but earnest 
abolitionists would teach negroes gratuitously, or were fit 
for the work, your brother paid the travelling expenses to 
Cincinnati of a number of young ladies from central New 
York, and of others from Northern Ohio for that purpose. 
The young ladies declined all compensation for teaching, 
and your brother paid their board. 

The amount that he advanced for the use of the schools, I 
have now no means of stating. As soon as Mr. Tappan heard 
that the trustees of Lane Seminary had passed a law dissolv¬ 
ing the Anti-slavery Society, and prohibiting anti-slavery 
discussions, and that the students, finding that the faculty 
would enforce the action of the trustees, were preparing to 
withdraw to a neighboring village, he wrote to me enclosing 
a draft for a thousand dollars, to be expended in hiring a 
building where they might room, in buying such books as 
they might need, and in paying for their board, etc. The 
letter also empowered me to draw on him at sight for what¬ 
ever they might need in addition, during the autumn and 

what was repeatedly stated, and I believe published, that it 
amounted to ten thousand dollars. It was said that he proposed 
to secure it, but Mr. Vail, the agent, regarded this as unnecessary; 
and that it was not paid simply because he became unable to do 
so in consequence of his financial embarrassments. Mr. John 
Tappan states : “Brother Arthur subscribed, I think, fifteen thou¬ 
sand dollars, and was the originator of Dr. Beecher’s going to 
Lane Seminary. He failed before he was called upon for payment, 
after Dr. Beecher had left. I afterwards paid half of the amount, 
viz. $7,500, and referred Dr. Beecher to friends and connections 
for the rest of it.” 


STUDENTS GO TO OBERLIN. 


237 


winter, or until some permanent provision for completing 
their course might be made. He also requested that all who 
decided to return to their friends, or to go to other institu¬ 
tions, and were in need of funds, should be provided with 
whatever was requisite. As I entered the Anti-slavery lec¬ 
turing field in Ohio soon after, I do not know what other 
amounts were forwarded by your brother to help classmates 
in their Anti-slavery Patmos at Cumminsville. 

Heartily sorry that I cannot help you, my dear long time 
friend, in your labor of love, and with ever vivid memories 
of our associate labors in the blessed old cause —old yet for 
ever new , I am ever faithfully yours, 

Lewis Tappan. THEODORE D. WELD. 

Mr. Tappan, notwithstanding his agency in 
bringing about the removal of Dr. Beecher from 
Boston to Cincinnati, and his grief at separating 
from one whose character and services he had held 
in high estimation, and from whose labors at Lane 
Seminary he had anticipated large results, felt com¬ 
pelled to take the part of the students. He fur¬ 
nished many of them with means of reaching other 
institutions, or of prosecuting a winter’s study in a 
neighboring village. A large number of them made 
arrangements to repair to Oberlin Seminary, Ohio, 
having received satisfactory assurances that no at¬ 
tempt would be made there to prevent free discus¬ 
sion, or oppose the resolution of the students to 
repudiate caste, and treat the colored people, in the 
seminary and out of it, as equal with themselves 
before the law and the gospel. He resolved to 
afford them all the aid in his power in building up 
at that place, a school of the prophets. He pre¬ 
vailed on the Rev. Charles G. Finney to succeed 


238 


ABTHUB TAPPAN. 


Dr. Beecher, as the spiritual guide and instructor 
of the students. With the twelve thousand dollars 
he contributed, a spacious brick building was erect¬ 
ed at Oberlin, which in honor of him, the trustees 
named “Tappan Hall.”* 

He promised additional aid, but his adverse cir¬ 
cumstances prevented the fulfilment of his inten¬ 
tions. This was a source of extreme regret to him, 
as well as the officers and students. Providence, 
however, raised up other benefactors, and a collegi¬ 
ate as well as theological department was organ¬ 
ized. The number of students increased from year to 
year, able and self-denying instructors were secured, 
multitudes of young persons of both sexes received 
instruction, revivals of religion occurred every year, 
and the history of the institution shows clearly that 
the Holy Spirit guided the founders, and has made 
it a name and a praise in the whole land. 

At the “breaking up” at Lane Seminary, and 
while Mr. Pinney was preaching at the Broadway 
Tabernacle in the city of New York, he was solicited 
to go to Oberlin. He has narrated the facts in a 
letter to the compiler as follows: 

Arthur Tappan proposed that I should go West long 
enough to get the students into the ministry ; and he offered 
to pay all the bills. He was very earnest in this request, 
but I did not see how I could leave New York, as I felt great 
reluctance to leave the Tabernacle, and told him that I did 
not see my way clear unless sufficient funds should be guar¬ 
anteed. . . . Messrs. J. J. Shepherd and Asa Mahan came to 
New York to persuade me to go to Oberlin, as professor of 

See Appendix 7, for resolutions on decease of Mr. Tappan. 


MR. FINNEY'S STATEMENT. 


239 


theology. The proposal met the view of Arthur and Lewis 

Tappan.The brethren in New York offered to endow 

professorships if I would spend half of each year in Oberlin. 
I offered to go on two conditions : 1, that the trustees should 
never interfere with the internal regulations of the school, 
and 2, that we should be allowed to receive on equal footing 

colored students.The trustees had a great struggle to 

overcome their prejudices. The brethren in New York 
agreed in an hour or two to endow eight professorships. 

Brother Arthur Tappan’s heart was as large as all New 
York, and I might say as large as the world. He was a small 

man in stature, but he had a mighty heart.When I 

laid the case thus before him he said : “ Brother Finney, my 
income, I will tell you on this occasion, averages about a hun¬ 
dred thousand dollars a year. Now if you will go to Oberlin, 
take hold of the work, and go on and see that the buildings 
are put up, and a library and every thing provided, I will 
pledge myself to give my entire income, except what I want 
to provide for my family, till you are beyond pecuniary want. ” 
Having perfect confidence in brother Tappan, I said, “That 
will do ; thus far the difficulties are out of the way.” 

Mr. Finney further states: 

It was agreed between myself and my church that I 
should spend my winters in New York, and my summers at 

Oberlin.When this was arranged I took my family 

to Oberlin; the students of Lane Seminary came and the 
trustees put up barracks or shanties, in which they were 
lodged. Students soon flocked here. I was authorized to get 
a large tent. ... a hundred feet in diameter. There was a 
streamer at the top, on which was written in large char¬ 
acters, “Holiness to the Lokd.” The text was of great 
service. Arthur Tappan said : “I want the institution to be 
known. Collect what money you can, and spread the knowl¬ 
edge of your enterprise through your agencies as far as you 
can. I do not want you to spread an abolition flag, but 
carry out your design of receiving colored students upon 
the same conditions that you do white students; and see 
that the work be not taken out of the hands of the faculty, 






240 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


and spoiled by the trustees, as was the case at Lane Sem¬ 
inary. Just let it be known that you thus receive students, 
and work your own way on, the best you can. Go and put 
up your building as fast as possible, and for whatever defi¬ 
ciency of funds there may be, after making efforts through 
your agents, you may draw on me, and I will honor your 
drafts to the extent of my income from year to year.” 

I came on the ground with this understanding; but it 
was further understood between brother Tappan and myself, 
that his pledge should not be made known to the trustees, 
lest they should fail to make due efforts as he desired, not 
merely to collect funds, but to make the wants and objects of 

the institution known throughout the land.We pushed 

on. The location was bad, and it cost thousands of dollars 
to overcome obstacles. . . . 

By the commercial crash of 1837, brother Tappan and 
nearly all the men who had subscribed the funds for the 
support of the faculty were prostrated. We were witliouj* 
funds for the support of the faculty, and fifty thousand dol¬ 
lars in debt, without any prospeet that we could see of ob¬ 
taining funds from the friends of the college in this coun¬ 
try. Brother Tappan wrote to me at this time, acknowl¬ 
edging the promise he had made me, and expressing the 
deepest regret that he was wholly unable to fulfil his pledge. 
Our necessities were then great and to human view it seemed 
as if the college must be a failure. We had to resort to new 
subscriptions. 

Mr. Finney, in relating afterwards the difficulties 
with Hudson College and Mr. Coe, said: “Arthur 
Tappan wrote to put me on my guard against going 
to Hudson. I found his prediction verified and 
declined going to Hudson.”* 

At the time the students were meditating upon 
the subject of repairing to Oberlin, the views of the 
trustees and faculty were not settled on the subject 
0 See Appendix 8, for letter from Mr. Finney. 



FEEE DISCUSSION. 


241 


of receiving colored students, and treating them as 
equal in all respects with white students. Though 
they were Christians considerably in advance of the 
prevailing sentiment of the churches, they had not 
wholly renounced the hateful prejudice against tho 
people of color that so generally prevailed in the 
country and in the churches. The Lane Seminary 
students were fully aware of this, and determined 
not to go to Oberlin until both free discussion 
and the right treatment of colored students were 
fully secured. 

The subject so enlisted the feelings of the pious 
inhabitants of Oberlin, that earnest and persevering 
prayer was offered, especially by a band of godly 
* women. The result was an acquiescence if not 
entire harmony of views in the board of trustees, 
and the adoption of a resolution that students 
should be received and treated irrespective of color. 
It w r as also decided that in the boarding-houses and 
elsewhere, no observances should be allowed that 
infringed upon this rule. Caste has found no asy¬ 
lum or toleration at Oberlin since that day. 

Mr. Tappan made no effort to have the seminary 
an abolition institution, in such a sense as to exclude 
differences of opinion and free discussion. He had 
no desire to force conformity to the principles or 
rules of the majority; but he did insist as a condition 
of receiving his patronage, that students should be 
admitted irrespective of color, that entire freedom 
should be allowed on the anti-slavery question, and 
that a high order of religious instruction should be 
11 


242 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


given, especially in favor of revivals of religion. He 
'^ould be tolerant, but never submit to the “gag¬ 
ing” principle. It was not his nature, and it was 
abhorrent to his principles. 

The experiment of having youth of both sexes 
taught in the same institution had also his entire 
approbation, and its great success at Oberlin pleased 
him to the end of his days. Had his prosperity con¬ 
tinued, Oberlin would have had no more liberal 
patron. He loved * the self-denying professors for 
their sound principles, firm adherence to them, and 
rejoiced with them in the success of their labors and 
in the evidences of Divine favor in answer to their 
prayers, and the prayers of others. 


THE AGITATION INCREASING. 243 


XIV. 

The mob spirit that was intended to put an end 
to the anti-slavery agitation seemed to extend and 
increase it. Its abettors might have foreseen this, 
had they not been blinded by passion. Neither phi¬ 
lanthropy nor religion can be put down by such 
excesses. Daniel Webster, in his celebrated speech 
at Niblo’s Garden, New York, in adverting to the 
anti-slavery agitation, advertised his hearers that it 
was in vain to contend against the religious senti¬ 
ment of a people. And a doctor of the law, of an¬ 
cient times, proclaimed the same truth: “ Ye men 
of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to 

do as touching these men. Refrain from 

these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel 
or this work be of men, it will come to naught; but 
if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply 
ye be found even to fight against God.” 

The slaveholders at the South and their North¬ 
ern allies exerted themselves to put an extinguisher 
upon the flame that was diffusing its light over the 
whole land. Ruffianism for the time seemed to have 
the ascendency. “ Southrons,” as they proudly 
called themselves, attempted to overawe all at the 
South who had or were suspected to have anti-sla¬ 
very proclivities; while personally, or by their North¬ 
ern allies, they stirred up violence at the North. 
Northern merchants and politicians vied with their 



244 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


Southern correspondents and coadjutors in efforts 
to put a stop to inquiries and discussions that 
brought the “ institution” into suspicion and hatred. 

A gentleman of New York, who owned a store in 
Charleston, S. C., received a letter from that city, as 
follows : “ If you are seen going into Tappan’s, Ran¬ 
kin’s,* or any abolitionist’s, vengeance will be poured 
out on your now flourishing establishment in Charles¬ 
ton. By order of the Select Committee.” 

A record made in the private journal of a mem¬ 
ber of the anti-slavery committee, of September 21, 
1835, says : “ There is a rumor that one hundred thou¬ 
sand dollars are offered for Arthur Tappan and Lewis 
Tappan, to be delivered in some slave state, and that 
two pilot-boats are in the harbor from the South.” 
In the New Orleans Bee was the following notice : 
“Fifty dollars reward for Arthur. He may be 
known by being in the habit of preaching among 
slaves.” This was probably meant as a pasquinade, 
to satirize rumors of large rewards being actually 
offered. It was believed, however, that rewards of 
considerable sums were offered, and that plans were 
on foot for the abduction of Mr. Tappan. 

Several of his friends called at his store to in¬ 
quire into the matter, and asked if he was not 
alarmed. They were assured that he had great 
composure; that he did not think any attempt 

® The late John Rankin, Esq., merchant of New York, who 
was the first treasurer of the American Anti-Slavery Society, and 
who for many years contributed to its funds $1,200 per annum. 
He was a steadfast friend of the cause, and died in 1869, in the 
eightieth year of his age. 


EXCITEMENT IN CHARLESTON. 245 


would be made to carry him off; that fear was use¬ 
less ; and he trusted in God. 

Not long after, a report was in circulation that 
was believed, that a pilot-boat was in the harbor of 
New York, from Savannah, Ga., and fears were 
expressed by several citizens that possibly, and not 
improbably, a plan was on foot to kidnap some of 
the abolitionists. It was evident that the slave¬ 
holders and their Northern allies intended at least 
to frighten them. To an inquiry, “ Are the members 
of the anti-slavery committee alarmed?” the answer 
was, “ Not at all. They hold their meetings at the 
anti-slavery office regularly, transact the business 
on hand, and have no intention to cease their oper¬ 
ations.” 

The daily press, with some exceptions, instead 
of attempting to allay popular ferment, lent its aid 
in denouncing the abolitionists and encouraging the 
violence of Southern men. Meantime efforts were 
made by “ Northern merchants with Southern prin¬ 
ciples” to injure Mr. Tappan’s business, by per¬ 
suading Southern merchants not to purchase his 
goods, and to combine their influence to break him 
down. 

Intelligence soon reached the city that great 
excitement prevailed at Charleston, S. C. A mob 
had robbed the postoffice of that city of a quantity 
of anti-slavery publications, July 29, 1835, and 
burned them in the street, together with effigies of 
Dr. Samuel H. Cox, "William Lloyd Garrison, and 
Arthur Tappan. The news stirred up sympathizers 


246 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


in New York, who renewed their reproaches against 
the abolitionists, and there were apprehensions on 
the part of many people of mob violence. It was 
alleged, contrary to the fact, that the abolitionists 
had sent large quantities of their publications to 
Charleston, with “incendiary” pictures, to be dis¬ 
tributed to the slaves. Mr. Tappan suggested to 
the committee the propriety of issuing a calm and 
resolute statement of facts, to allay the excitement 
at the North, occasioned by the false representations 
on the subject. Accordingly, an address To the 
Public, written by Judge Jay, was published in 
pamphlet form and in the religious newspapers, 
and widely circulated. It set forth the distinguish¬ 
ing sentiments of the anti-slavery party, and ex¬ 
plicitly disclaimed the charges so industriously 
made against it, concluding as follows: 

“Such, fellow-citizens, are our principles. Are 
they unworthy of republicans and Christians ? Or 
are they in truth so atrocious, that, in order to pre¬ 
vent their diffusion, you are yourselves willing to 
surrender at the dictation of others the inviolable 
privilege of free discussion, the very birthright of 
Americans? Will you, in order that the adminis¬ 
trations of slavery may be concealed from public 
view, and that the capital of your republic may 
continue to be, as it now is, under the sanction of 
Congress, the great slavemart of the American con¬ 
tinent, consent that the general government, in ac¬ 
knowledged defiance of the Constitution and laws, 
shall appoint, throughout the length and breadth of 


DISCLAIMER OF CHARGES. 


247 


your land, ten thousand censors of the press, each, 
of whom shall have the right to inspect every docu¬ 
ment you may commit to the postoffice, and to sup¬ 
press every pamphlet and newspaper, whether reli¬ 
gious or political, which in his sovereign pleasure 
he may adjudge to contain an incendiary article? 
Surely we need not remind you that if you submit 
to such an encroachment on your liberties, the days 
of our republic are numbered, and that although 
abolitionists may be the first, they will not be the 
last victims offered at the shrine of arbitrary power. 

“ARTHUR TAPP AN, President. 
“JOHN RANKIN, Treasurer. 
“WILLIAM JAY, Sec. For. Cor. 
“ELIZUR WRIGHT, Jr., Sec. Dom. Cor. 
“ABRAHAM L. COX, M. D., Rec. Sec. 
“LEWIS TAPP AN, 

“JOSHUA LEAVITT, 

“SAMUEL E. CORNISH, 

“SIMEON S. JOCELYN, 

“THEODORE S. WRIGHT. 

“New York, Sept. 3, 1835.” 

This year was distinguished, in the anti-slavery 
annals, more than any previous year, for the furor 
that possessed the public mind against the hated 
friends of freedom. They were grossly insulted, 
their meetings were broken up, they were mis¬ 
represented and slandered, some of them suffered 
personal injury, and a reign of terror prevailed in 
many parts of the country. 

At the present day few persons have a true idea 
of the insults heaped upon prominent abolitionists 
thirty-five years since; even those who were con- 


248 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


temporary with them have but a faint recollection 
of the numberless annoyances to which the anti- 
slavery people were subject. Continually watched ; 
their names opprobriously alluded to in the daily 
press, and sometimes placed upon the bulletins of 
newspaper offices; misrepresentations of all sorts in 
the mouths of the community; caricatures and pas¬ 
quinades at every newspaper stand; followed not 
unfrequently by droves of boys even from places of 
public resort to their own doors; their families in¬ 
sulted by passers-by; their children shunned at 
school; significant gestures of intended violence 
made by strangers as they were passed in the 
streets; objects of real or affected aversion or ter¬ 
ror as they had occasion to call at hotels or private 
dwellings; sometimes hissed as they passed the 
exchange and other places of public resort, and as 
they attempted to take a part in meetings; indeco¬ 
rously treated in assemblies of professing Chris¬ 
tians; their principles and measures distorted and 
falsified, they were considered and treated as dis¬ 
turbers of the public peace, and as outlaws in the 
community. 

Is it asked, What manifestations did Mr. Tappan 
exhibit under such provocations ? He preserved his 
equanimity, steadily pursued his accustomed avoca¬ 
tions, attended regularly the anti-slavery meetings, 
and looked into the future with a serene and confi¬ 
dent trust that good would be evoked out of seeming 
evil, that the Almighty would protect the victims of 
oppression and prejudice and their friends, and fulfil 


PRO-SLAVERY FUROR. 


249 


the believing -prayer of the psalmist: “ Surely the 
wrath of man shall praise Thee; the remainder of 
wrath shalt thou restrain.” 

At Nashville, Tenn., Amos Dresser, an amiable 
and pious young man, who went from Ohio to sell 
books, to enable him to pursue his theological stud¬ 
ies, was seized by some of the citizens, under the 
false charge of circulating incendiary publications, 
arraigned before a tumultuous assembly in the 
court-house, and sentenced to be publicly whipped. 
The punishment was inflicted in the public square 
in the presence of a large assembly of people, the 
leading men in the place standing by and directing 
the proceedings. 

A convention of anti-slavery men from different 
parts of the state of New York, to form a state anti¬ 
slavery society, assembled at Utica, and while peace¬ 
ably attending to the business in hand, in one of the 
churches of the place, were assailed by a mob of sev^ 
eral hundreds of ruffians, headed by Samuel Beards¬ 
ley, a member of Congress, chairman of a committee 
of twenty-five leading citizens appointed at a meet¬ 
ing in the court-house. At Boston, the same day, 
a meeting of anti-slavery women was broken up, 
and William Lloyd Garrison was dragged through 
the streets by an infuriated mob, at the peril of his 
life. The mob was said to have included men of 
“ property and standing.” 

At Brooklyn, N. Y., the residence of Mr. Tap- 
pan, threats of violence had been repeatedly made, 
and considerable apprehension was felt by his 
11 * 


250 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


friends that they might be carried into execution. 
Mr. George Hall, who was at the time mayor, de¬ 
termined to exert his influence and authority to pro¬ 
tect him, and save the place from the disgrace of 
an unlawful uproar. Though not at that time an 
abolitionist, he valued the rights of peaceful citizens 
and the reputation of the city. 

Being, apprised that on a certain night an at¬ 
tempt might be made to seize Mr. Tappan, he made 
arrangements with the commandant of the Navy- 
yard to have in readiness the marine force, to act, 
should them aid be required. He then stationed a 
relay of men from Mr. Tappan’s residence to the 
Navy-yard, at convenient distances, to convey his 
messages to the officer in command, while he walked 
back and forth before the house, unattended, during 
a great part of the night. This fact, so honorable 
to that unostentatious, but fearless magistrate, he 
never communicated to Mr. Tappan, who little 
thought that, while he was seeking repose upon his 
pillow, such a vigilant and brave man was volunta¬ 
rily performing the office of sentinel in front of his 
house. 

Mr. Leggett, as editor of the Evening Post , and 
as editor of the Plaindealer subsequently, boldly 
advocated the rights of man, including the negro 
and the abolitionist, in opposition to his political 
party and a servile press, and within a year or two 
became, as might have been expected, an avowed 
abolitionist. In an article in the Evening Post , of 
August 26, 1835,‘headed “Reward eok Arthur 


CENSORSHIP OF THE PRESS. 251 


Tappan,” lie spoke of tlie wild fanaticism that pre¬ 
vailed at the South. “How else,” he exclaimed, 
“ could such a paper as the Charleston Patriot ad¬ 
vert, with tacit approbation, to the statement that a 
purse of twenty thousand dollars had been made up 
in New Orleans, as a reward for the audacious mis¬ 
creant who should dare to kidnap Arthur Tappan, 

and deliver him on the levee in that city. Is 

the Charleston Patriot so blinded by the peculiar 
circumstances in which the South is placed, as not 
to perceive that the proposed abduction of Arthur 
Tappan, even if consummated by his murder, as 
doubtless is the object, would necessarily have a 
widely different effect from that of suppressing the 
Abolition Association, or in any wise diminishing its 
zeal and ardor?” 

He spoke as became a true patriot, in suitable 
terms, of the extraordinary conduct of the Postmas¬ 
ter-General, Amos Kendall, in virtually sanctioning 
the rifling and destruction of the mails by post¬ 
masters, in defiance of their oaths of office and of 
the rights of their fellow-citizens throughout the 
United States. In alluding to the letter of Mr. 
Tappan and his associates to the mayor of New 
York, he said: 

“ We have here, in the subjoined official address, 
signed with the names of men whom we believe too 
upright to lie, and who certainly have shown that 
they are not afraid to speak the truth, an exposition 
of the creed and practice of the Anti-Slavery Soci¬ 
ety. We have already said that, in our judgment, 



252 


ABTHUK TAPPAN. 


the matters contained in this document, 'with a sin¬ 
gle exception, deserve a cordial approval. We 

approve of the strenuous assertion of the right of 
free discussion, and, moreover, we admire the hero¬ 
ism which cannot be driven from its ground by the 
maniac and unsparing opposition which the aboli¬ 
tionists have encountered.” 

This heroic political writer rendered great ser¬ 
vice to the cause of freedom, and Mr. Tappan and 
his associates held him in high esteem during his 
brief career. In one of his articles he quoted some 
lines ascribed to Philip Yan Artavelde, saying, 
“This is the sort of character we emulate.” They 
are applicable to him, and we think also to the sub¬ 
ject of this narrative. 

“All my life long 

I have beheld with most respect the man 

Who knew himself, and knew the ways before him, 

And from amongst them chose considerately, 

With a clear foresight, not a blindfold courage ; 

And having chosen, with a steadfast mind 
Pursued his purposes.”* 

* Mr. William Leggett die(f in New York, May 24, 1839. A 
collection of his political writings was published the same year, in 
two volumes, 12mo, selected and arranged with a Preface by The¬ 
odore Sedgwick, Jr., and copyright secured by William Cullen 
Bryant. 



HIS DAUGHTER’S NARRATIVE. 253 


XV. 


His eldest daughter lias, during the preparation 
of this sketch, sent some reminiscences of her father, 
that will interest his grandchildren if not others; 
and they are introdnced here as they relate in part 
to matters of a prior date, but are not specially con¬ 
nected with any thing that follows. It is perhaps 
needless to say, that they were not penned with 
any special reference to publication, but rather to be 
interwoven, if it was thought best, in the narrative. 
They will also be interesting to children, who dwell 
upon incidents relating to the early life of their 
parents, that may not be esteemed of much value to 
other persons. This daughter says: 

“My mother was a professing Christian several 
years before she married my father. Some of her 
friends objected to her marrying him, because he 
was at that time inclined to Unitarianism. He 
attended the Scotch church in Montreal, where she 
worshipped, and there first saw her. He after a 
time sought an introduction to her from a mutual 
friend. 

“When they temporarily resided in Boston in 
1814, previous to their removal to New York, my 
mother went with him to hear Dr. Channing on 
Sabbath mornings, and to the Old South church in 
the afternoon. In this way she knew what he 


254 


AKTHUK TAPPAN. 


heard, and they conversed about it at home. Her 
influence was blessed to him, and when they moved 
to New York in 1815, father took a pew in Dr. John 
M. Mason’s church, and before long he became a 
member. 

“I recollect when father began extemporaneous 
family prayer, which he kept up through his long 
life. Before prayer, he used to read in ‘Scott’s 
Bible,’ the text and Practical Observations. On 
Sundays, my brother and myself learned a few 
verses from the Psalms, for which father rewarded 
us with a sixpenny piece, to be dropped into a 
missionary box, the contents of which were for the 
support of two children in India, named for us. He 
believed that we should thus learn early to take an 
interest in missions. It was liis habit to distribute 
tracts and Bibles among the seamen, Sunday morn¬ 
ings, before the church service. 

“ About the year 1819, my parents moved from 
Gold-street to Whiteliall-street, near the Battery. 
This was a delightful home. Every day when the 
weather permitted, we spent hours in that, then, 
pleasant park, under the old trees, or picking up 
shells and seaweed on the beach at low tide. Fa¬ 
ther sometimes hired a boat and men to row it, and 
took us all to Staten Island, or Hoboken, where we 
wandered in the wild path by the river, or rested 
under the trees on the lawn in front of the old inn, 
the only house I remember there. 

“Whitehall and State streets, and the Battery, 
were very different then from what they are at the 


HIS DAUGHTER’S NARRATIVE. 255 


present time. The Battery was kept in nice order, 
and was a place of daily resort for the families in 
the neighborhood, both parents, children and nurses. 
State-street, especially, was full of elegant houses 
overlooking the Battery and harbor, and a beautiful 
street. There was much social and friendly visit¬ 
ing between the neighbors. 

“ When we were young children, we saw but little 
of father except on Sunday and holidays, as he was 
so much absorbed in business. But he supplied 
us with books, such as could be had at that time, 
‘Manners and Customs of Different Nations,’ ‘Life 
of Columbus,’ ‘Parents’ Assistant,’ by Miss Edge- 
worth, ‘Bingley’s Biography of Animals’ in several 
volumes-/Pilgrim’s Progress,’ and ‘Tokens for Chil¬ 
dren,’ for Sundays. 

“ When we were old enough to go to school, we 
sat up evenings with father and mother, listened to 
his reading aloud, usually some history, or he would 
hear us recite our lessons for next day at school. 
During their whole married life our parents were 
accustomed to play a game of chess evenings. They 
did so but a year before mother died, with as much 
interest as of old. We played draughts; the only 
game besides chess, we were allowed, and father 
taught us both games. 

“While we lived on Whitehall-street, father grat¬ 
ified our desire to have a garden and flowers. He 
had beds made in the brick paved backyard, and 
took my brother and myself one morning early to 
Grant Thorburn’s greenhouse in the old Friends’ 


256 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


Meetinghouse, and filled the basket with annuals 
ready to transplant. He set them out and watched 
their blooming, and watered them with as much 
pleasure as his children. 

“Afterwards we lived at No. 14 Broadway, oppo¬ 
site the Bowling Green. Here we resided about 
four years. From there we moved in April, 1816, 
to No. 20 Beach-street, on the south side of St. 
John’s Park. On the opposite side of the park was 
Dr. Cox’s church, which we attended. Here he 
lived during a large part of his tumultuous anti¬ 
slavery life, when he was every where spoken evil 
of. Before he became so unpopular, his house was 
open to ministers, delegates of societies, and mis¬ 
sionaries. My dear mother was always ready for 
them, with generous hospitality, and believed that 
their prayers would bring down a blessing on the 
family. Messrs. Temple and Cornelius were there 
for weeks. Bishop Chase of Ohio, Dr. N. W. Tay¬ 
lor, and Dr. Beecher were there while the New 
Haven Seminary was being organized, raising funds 
for it. Dr. Cornelius met them there. They were 
a genial trio. They seemed to love the children, 
and noticed them affectionately. Dr. Taylof, I 
recollect, nsed to draw pictures of horses and dogs, 
to amuse the little ones. He was very winning in 
his ways with them, and we all loved to have him 
visit us. As observers we children had no reason to 
conclude that Christian ministers were an unhappy 
class of men, but on the contrary, the happiest 
and most cheerful. Mother was delighted to have 


HIS DAUGHTER’S NARRATIVE. 257 


them together, and Dr. Cox, and Bev. Mr. Lud¬ 
low, were often at the table to meet her guests. 

“ Dr. Cox was our pastor until my father thought 
it his duty to help the Bowery church, and attend 
on the ministry of Bev. Mr. Christmas. We, how¬ 
ever, often attended Dr. Cox’s church with my 
mother, as she could not always go so far as the 
Bowery, where we went about a year, and then all 
returned to Dr. Cox’s. He was very much beloved 
by us all, and a frequent and welcome visitor. He 
seldom came without teaching us some facts in his¬ 
tory, wishing us to take notes with pencil and 
paper. He often repeated from his stores of mem¬ 
ory, pages from Cowper, Scott, and other poets. 
He also taught us from the Bible, making religion 
attractive to us. Three of my sisters and myself 
were members of his church. 

“In 1828, father bought a house in Temple- 
street, New Haven, next to Dr. Taylor’s. It had a 
large garden. He had the grounds and greenhouse 
filled with rare and lovely plants, shrubs, and choice 
fruit. The house in New York was kept open, and 
he came up to New Haven every Saturday, and 
returned on Monday, now and then giving himself 
a longer vacation of a week or two. This was be¬ 
fore the day of railroads, when New Haven was 
comparatively a quiet and rural city. Father en¬ 
joyed his house there, as we all did; the new friends, 
the drives and excursions about the city, by land 
and water, the garden and flowers, and the rest he 
found from his busy New York life. 


258 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


“ In August 1831, God took liome our clear little 
sister Mary Lansing, eight years of age; a lovely, 
gentle child, and tenderly mourned by us all. Our 
brother Arthur died while we were at Love Lane, 
New York, one year old, a beloved little one. 

“It was during these happy New Haven sum¬ 
mers, that feeling ran high against father on account 
of the part he took against slavery. Some who 
had been warm friends, grew cold, and shook their 
heads at him as a fanatic. He felt this keenly, but 
it did not deter him from doing what he felt was 
his duty to God and man. 

“I was at home in 1835, in New Haven, I think, 
when one evening about ten o’clock, shouts and 
loud cries were heard in the street before the house, 
and we feared violence, but the mob were content 
with abusive language, and the throwing of stones 
against the house. The next evening we watched 
with great anxiety, but were unmolested. Judge 
Jonas Platt was making us a visit at the time. 
These were days of fearful anxiety for mother. 
Father was in New York. She could not prevail 
on him to leave. 

“ Mother told me that when she was a little girl, 
she saw an old slave whipped by his master. She, 
with some other children were playing together on 
a back piazza of a house near the Battery in New 
York. The boys were making chips and litter, 
which the old man had to sweep up, and he asked 
them to try and be more careful. They complained 
of him, and the master came out with a horsewhip, 


HIS DAUGHTER’S NARRATIVE. 259 


and whipped him. Mother said the old slave never 
uttered a word, but the tears ran down his cheeks; 
and, said mother, ‘I wept too.’ It made a deep 
impression upon her and early enlisted her sympa¬ 
thy for the slaves. 

“ While father was sitting with me, a freed slave 
came into the parlor to attend to the fire. He had 
escaped from Norfolk, Va., hid himself in the woods, 
and came North with a Union officer, as his ser¬ 
vant. He had been in several battles with him, 
and nursed him when wounded. I told father his 
story. He rose at once and went to Gordon, took 
his hand, and said, ‘I am pleased to see you; for 
thirty-five years I have worked for this day; study 
hard, and learn all you can; you can then rise and 
be any thing you choose.’ Gordon stood looking 
into father’s face, quiet, pleased, and gratified. I 
never saw any one so anxious to learn to read as he 
was; it was a pleasure to teach him. He carried 
his book in his pocket, and studied it every spare 
minute. 

“ My mother’s mother, it appears, was a Boman- 
ist. She was buried in St. Paul’s churchyard, New 
York, and General and Mrs. Hamilton were moth¬ 
er’s sponsors in baptism, which looks as if she 
became an Episcopalian, which agrees with what 
my mother told me, as I remember. 

“ When mother expressed fears to have him re¬ 
turn to New York, he smiled and said,‘ Trust in God.’ 
He evidently felt ‘In God have I put my trust; I 
not will be afraid what man can do unto me.’ 


260 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


Threats of assassination did not daunt him. From 
day to day, for months, mother did not know what 
news the mail might bring concerning him. God 
spared him to see the slaves set free, and opposing 
friends then congratulated him. 

“ Previous to residing in New Haven, we had 
always spent most of the summer months out of 
New York city; sometimes we went with mother to 
Oriskany, N. Y., to revisit the old house where my 
parents were married, then and now the residence 
of her dear brother and sister Lansing. In front of 
their house was a green lawn shaded with old trees, 
while a small river skirted the place. Uncle and 
aunt were delighted to welcome mother and her 
children, and it was always a happy time. 

“We spent' weeks often during the summer at 
Paterson, N. J., among mother’s friends, Mr. Colt’s 
family. One of them, who was then, and still is, 
a real missionary, writes to me,‘ Some forty or more 
years since, your father used to send my mother, 
who is now ninety years old, boxes of books, Bibles, 
and tracts, to distribute among the Sunday and 
infant scholars, and in the neighboring villages. 
She remembers that in one instance a person was 
so much impressed with the truth contained in a 
tract, that she thinks was given by him, as to 
change his course of life altogether, and establish 
a ‘Tract Society’ among his acquaintances. 

“Father took us also in summer, to Northamp¬ 
ton, to visit his parents. I recollect his father and 
mother with pleasure. They were very kind to the 


HIS DAUGHTER’S NARRATIVE. 261 


children. At one time we saw Polly there, who 
had lived with my grandparents and their daugh¬ 
ter, Mrs. Pierce, forty years. She told us that she 
used to take care of father when he was young, and 
she amused us children by telling us anecdotes of 
his childhood. Once, when she was ill, he would get 
up in the night and go to the pump to get water 
for her in his little tin cup, to allay her feverish 
thirst. 

“On one of these visits to Northampton, father 
took grandfather, mother, and myself in his car¬ 
riage to Amherst College, to call on President 
Humphrey. During the call, Dr. Humphrey sent 
for a number of Greek students to come to the 
parlor to speak with father, who had helped them 
in getting an education. He had a tender affection 
for both of his parents, and used to keep their 
engraved likenesses in his portfolio, and when he 
opened it to write, he would lay them out before 
him, even in his counting-room, so strong and con¬ 
stant was his loVe for them. 

« “ My father enjoyed getting away from business 

and cares into the country. He liked to take his 
‘carryall,’ with old Syphax, the good horse, noted 
for his great size and perfect form; and our two 
saddle horses, and with mother and two children, set 
off for a long excursion. These journeys were full 
of pleasure. Often father and one of his children 
would set off early in the morning, and ride on 
horseback ten miles before breakfast. He made 
several journeys in this way with his wife and chil- 


262 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


dren. He seemed to grow young and light-hearted, 
and throw off care; and such excursions prepared 
him to return to the city and his varied duties. 

“Mother, at our request, would tell us of her 
early years. At the age of two, she was left an 
orphan. Her father, when' he was dying, com¬ 
mitted her to the care of General and Mrs, Alexan¬ 
der Hamilton. When Gen. Hamilton was Secretary 
of the Treasury, and Gen. Washington, President of 
the United States, they lived opposite to each other 
in Philadelphia, and the children of the two fam¬ 
ilies were together every day. Mrs. Washington 
took the Custis children, and Angelica Hamilton, 
and Fanny Antill, (my mother,) in her carriage to 
dancing-school twice a week. She stayed with them 
through the lesson and brought them home. 

“ Mother remembered Gen. Washington once sit¬ 
ting on a sofa in the room where the children were 
playing, and laying aside his newspaper, to watch 
them, and smile and encourage them to continue 
their frolic. Once, on a reception evening, when 
the drawing-room in his house was filled , with ladies 
and gentlemen, talking and laughing, and the chil¬ 
dren were amusing themselves in a corner, there 
was a sudden great stillness—and mother looked 
up with surprise and awe, and saw Gen. Washing¬ 
ton coming through the folding doors. 

“From the time mother was twelve years old, 
until she was married, she resided with her sister, 
Mrs. Lansing, who, with her husband, filled well the 
place of the tenderest father and mother to her. 




HIS D ATJGHTEK^'InA± n.i>riV r .^. 263 

They had four children, who were near her own 
age. 

“Father liked to tell us of his first meeting 
mother in church. They sat opposite each other 
in a square pew. He said he was attracted by her 
bright black eyes, and cheerful and animated ex¬ 
pression. She was naturally bright and cheerful, 
generous and unselfish. It was her constant aim 
to make a happy home for her husband and chil¬ 
dren—a home where friends were ever welcome, 
and the poor and sorrowful found help and comfort. 
"When father was absent, and there was not any 
guest to officiate, mother always led in prayer at 
family worship.” 


264 


abthub tappan. 


XVI. 

Southern merchants had become shy of tra¬ 
ding with New York abolitionists, and were in many 
cases deterred from purchasing, as before, of a man 
so obnoxious as Arthur Tappan. Some of them 
bought with fictitious names, and many employed 
other ways to circumvent their customers and the 
public in their places of residence. It was a fortu¬ 
nate circumstance that the Southern trade fell off, 
as many New York merchants who solicited that 
trade, some of them going so far as to proclaim 
that they were not abolitionists, found by woful ex¬ 
perience, on the failure of their Southern debtors, 
that in selling their principles with their goods they 
had made a great mistake. 

The most strenuous efforts were made by slave¬ 
holders to injure the business, and molest in all 
imaginable ways, those who professed anti-slavery 
principles; and insults of various kinds were resort¬ 
ed to by many of them. Letters were often received 
by the friends of freedom of an insulting descrip¬ 
tion; sometimes enclosing a small specimen of tar 
and feathers, one enclosing the ear of a negro, and 
most of them written profanely and obscenely. Be- 
wards were offered for the abduction, or heads of 
leading abolitionists. Fifty thousands dollars had 
been offered for the head of Arthur Tappan. On 


NOBLE CONDUCT. 


265 


being informed of it lie pleasantly remarked: ‘‘If 
that sum is placed in the New York Bank, I may 
possibly think of giving myself up.” 

Southern attorneys having collecting business for 
the firm, would relinquish the prosecution of claims. 
But some of them were too high-minded to do so. 
A certain attorney, belonging to the state of Geor¬ 
gia, who had solicited business of the firm, and who 
had received from them a note for collection, after 
commencing a suit, abandoned it, and wrote tkj t he 
could no longer act for them on account of Mr. Tap- 
pan’s avowed hostility to slavery. Hearing of a 
high-minded lawyer from that state who was at the 
head of the Georgia delegation in Congress, (Colonel 
Foster,) the circumstances were stated to him and 
his advice asked in the premises. He magnani¬ 
mously replied: “ I will undertake the transaction of 
any business you may have in my state; send an 
order to the attorney to transfer the business to my 
law-firm, and it will be faithfully attended to.” But 
few were known to act so nobly. 

The anniversaries of the American Anti-slavery 
Society were well attended. The places of meeting 
were filled by those who took a deep interest in the 
movement, by many who were attracted by curiosi¬ 
ty, and by not a few who resorted to them from 
malicious motives, seeking for an opportunity to 
create a riot. Of course the meetings were exci¬ 
ting. Now and then a newspaper would give its 
readers a fair account of the proceedings, the prin¬ 
ciples avowed, the sentiments of the speakers, and 


266 


ARTHUR TAPPAX. 


the resolutions adopted; but generally the whole 
was caricatured, either wittily or malignantly. Pol¬ 
iticians decried the agitators as those who alienated 
southern electors from their parties; merchants 
were incensed because they feared trade would be 
diverted from the city to other places; ministers of 
the gospel stood aloof lest their ecclesiastical associ¬ 
ations should be interfered with, their churches agi¬ 
tated, and sinners remain unconverted! Meantime 
the populace were stirred up occasionally to deeds 
of violence by a pro-slavery press, and the corrupt 
sentiment of persons of influence in the community. 
^ It was a great grief to Mr. Tappan that the be¬ 
nevolent societies, in which he had taken so deep 
an interest, shrunk from the avowal of principles so 
dear as he believed to the Saviour; so much in har¬ 
mony with the Constitution of the country, and so 
^Conducive to the public weal. It grieved him also 
that so many men with whom he had formerly asso¬ 
ciated in benevolent and Christian enterprises, with 
some of whom he had gone to the house of God in 
company, and who in other respects, were men of 
principle and active piety, should ignore a cause of 
so much importance, one so conducive to strengthen 
all the precious institutions of the country, and raise 
the nation to a higher elevation as a moral and 
Christian people. Some merchants with whom he 
had been accustomed to act in benevolent societies, 
while avowing their hostility to slavery, were guilty 
of conduct that he could not help reprobating. 
When they had occasion to sue their delinquent 


CONDUCT OF CHURCH MEMBERS. 267 

customers in the slave states, and slaves were levied 
upon as the property of their masters, such New 
York merchants, would sanction the proceedings, 
and sometimes attempt to justify them. But few, it 
is believed, gave directions in advance that “slave 
property ” should never be taken in satisfaction of 
judgments, and in cases where it was levied upon, 
without the knowledge of the creditors, that it 
should be at once relinquished. 

He mourned over this state of things in secret, 
and spread his complaints before a just and holy 
God, who had promised to vindicate the cause of 
the oppressed, to make the wrath of man praise 
him, and to sustain all good causes and those who 
advocate them. As a Christian he bore his part 
in church meetings, and though seldom address¬ 
ing them would, as occasion required, utter his 
thoughts, praying for the slave, for his deluded 
master, for the peace of the church, the good order 
of society, and the extension of pure and undefiled 
religion, at home and abroad. Such prayers, espe¬ 
cially when the slave was mentioned, the sin of the 
nation in regard to slavery confessed, and the judg¬ 
ments of God upon a guilty people alluded to, were 
unacceptable, even in a lecture-room, at church 
meetings; and displeasure was often manifested by 
professors of religion, who, if they did not hate the 
principles of abolition, and all who adopted them 
and resolutely carried them into practice, hated the 
introduction of them into religious assemblies, espe¬ 
cially in prayer meetings, conceiving that the har- 


268 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


rnony of such meetings should not be disturbed by 
introducing, either in exhortations or prayers, “dis¬ 
puted topics.” 

On one occasion, at a monthly concert of prayer, 
in the First Presbyterian church in Brooklyn, Mr. 
Tappan, being called upon to offer prayer, on his 
introducing into it the subject of the poor slave, 
there were such manifestations of disap probation, 
on the part of a portion of the audience, that he felt 
the interruption and was induced quietly to take 
his seat. Boasts were afterwards made that he had 
been “scraped down.” But it is believed that the 
pastor, and the best persons present, disapproved 
of the indecorum. 

Strenuous efforts were made by many conserva¬ 
tive men to induce Mr. Tappan to relinquish anti¬ 
slavery agitation. Leading men, presidents of banks 
and insurance companies and others, took great 
pains to persuade him of the inutility of his efforts, 
and the efforts of those affiliating with him, to ac¬ 
complish the object they had in view. He was 
entreated to forbear, out of regard to his own repu¬ 
tation and safety, for the sake of his family, his 
friends, and especially for his own credit’s sake that 
was in imminent jeopardy. He was assured, that 
many of the directors of banks declared they would 
not discount his paper, or the paper of any mer¬ 
chant having his name upon it. They conjured him, 
therefore, by all these considerations, to cease the 
advocacy of the anti-slavery cause; at least to be 
more quiet, to resign his office as president of the 


HIS REPLY TO A DEPUTATION. 269 


American Anti-slavery Society, or to publish some 
disclaimer, something at any rate that would pacify 
the public, restore tranquillity, and preserve his 
credit with the moneyed institutions. He was as¬ 
sured that such a procedure would even increase his 
reputation in the community! He listened to what 
was said, but gave no assurance that he should alter 
his course. 

A deputation was soon sent to him in behalf of. 
leading men connected with moneyed institutions, 
and he was renewedly appealed to, and the consid¬ 
erations before urged were reiterated with such oth¬ 
ers as were deemed available. When it was said to 
him, “Should any disaster occur to you, it would be 
felt by your creditors, whom you are bound to pro¬ 
tect, and whose interests connected with your credit, 
you have no right to injure,” he seemed much im¬ 
pressed. He felt more for his creditors than for 
himself. But he said nothing. His mind seemed 
to be deeply engaged in thought. It was evident 
that he felt a peculiar responsibility, not only to his 
creditors, his partners, his family, but to his clients, 
the poor slaves, and above all to his God. At length 
he spoke, and with great seriousness and emphasis, 
said: “You demand that I shall cease my anti¬ 
slavery labors, give up my connection with the Anti¬ 
slavery Society, or make some apology or recanta¬ 
tion—I WILL BE HUNG FIRST!” 

A merchant who knew him well, said with refer¬ 
ence to his strong convictions of duty, his conscien¬ 
tious regard for the right, and the strength of his 


270 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


religions principles, a That man lias the spirit of a 
martyr!” 

Governors of states in their messages to legisla¬ 
tures joined in the hue and cry against those who 
they seemed to think were “turning the world up¬ 
side down,” and even the President of the United 
States did not think it beneath his high office, open¬ 
ly to assail and denounce the abolitionists. And at 
.a crisis, when the public mind was much inflamed 
against their principles and measures; and when, 
from political motives or mercenary considerations, 
men did not refrain from unfounded misrepresenta¬ 
tions and calumnies against those who were simply 
engaged in recommending to the observance of the 
people the sentiments advanced by the founders of 
our government, and the precepts of Christ. Presi¬ 
dent Jackson in his message to Congress seized the 
opportunity to increase the odium attached to the 
abolitionists, and to join in the cry for the destruc¬ 
tion of their enterprise. The executive committee 
deemed it a fit occasion to enter a solemn protest 
against the denunciations of the President. It was 
from the pen of one of their number, William Jay, 
who had cast in his lot with the “sect everywhere 
spoken against,” and was never, before or after¬ 
wards, known to swerve from the cause indicated by 
an enlightened conscience. The protest, headed by 
Arthur Tappan, was widely circulated. The points 
were as follows: 

Fh'st: Because in rendering that judgment officially, you 
assumed a power not belonging to your office. 


PROTEST OF THE COMMITTEE. 271 


Secondly: We protest against the publicity you have given 
to your accusation. 

Thirdly: We protest against your condemnation of us 
unheard. 

Fourthly: We protest against the vagueness of your 
charges. 

Fifthly: We protest against your charges, because they 
are untrue . 

And the protest concludes in these words: 

We have addressed you, sir, on this occasion, with repub¬ 
lican plainness, and Christian sincerity; but with no desire 
to derogate from the respect that is due to you, or wantonly 
to give you pain. To repel your charges, and to disabuse 
the public, was a duty we owed to ourselves, to our children, 
and above all to the great and holy cause in which we are 
engaged. That cause we believe is approved by our Maker ; 
and while we retain this belief, it is our intention, trusting 
to His direction and protection, to persevere in our endeav¬ 
ors to impress upon the minds and hearts of our countrymen 
the sinfulness of claiming property in human beings, and 
the duty and wisdom of immediately relinquishing it, 

When convinced that our endeavors are wrong, we shall 
abandon them, but such conviction must be produced by 
other arguments than vituperation, popular violence, or 
penal enactments. 

New Yobk, Dec. 26, 1835. 


272 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


XVII. 

On the night of December 16,1835, a disastrous 
fire took place in New York. It swept over a dis¬ 
trict of fifty or more acres, the oldest part of the 
city, where were the stores and warehouses of the 
principal merchants. It was a cold night, the mer¬ 
cury standing at zero, and the wind boisterous. A 
multitude of stores, dwelling-houses, and some pub¬ 
lic buildings were destroyed. Strenuous exertions 
were made by the fire department and the citizens 
to stay the progress of the flames, and to preserve 
the property endangered, but it seemed in vain. 
The hydrants and hose were frozen, so that it was 
almost impossible to obtain water, and the people 
were put to their wit’s end, and almost despaired of 
arresting the conflagration. No one who witnessed 
the devouring flames will ever forget the scene. 

The Dutch Deformed Church in Garden-street, 
and the Exchange building in Wall-street, were 
burnt. The fire left nearly all the buildings in the 
“ burnt district,” as it was called, a mass of brick, 
stone, and iron. The streets were obliterated, and 
it was not easy for the owners or occupants of build¬ 
ings to identify the lots upon which they had stood. 
The number of buildings destroyed was estimated 
at six hundred and forty-eight, and the personal 
property consumed amounted to over fifteen mill¬ 
ions of dollars. The fire commenced at a quarter 


MR. TAPPAN’S STORE BURNED. 273 

to nine o’clock on. Wednesday evening, and burned 
until twelve o’clock on Thursday. It was stated 
afterwards that the ruins were burning for five 
months. 

Mr. Tappan’s store was not far* from the build¬ 
ing where the fire commenced, No. 127 Pearl-street, 
and on the opposite side of the street. But the 
flames were driven across the street, and caught the 
buildings as if they had been tinder. As his store 
was of granite, and unusually well built, it was 
hoped that it might be saved, and stay the progress 
of the fire in that direction. 

It so happened that the executive committee of 
the American Anti-Slavery Society were in session at 
their rooms in Nassau street, about half a mile from 
Hanover-square, where Mr. Tappan’s store was sit¬ 
uated. Most of the members of the committee 
accompanied Mr. Tappan to the place, when the 
alarm was given, and arrived on the ground to see 
that the flames were devouring the adjacent store. 
One of the partners, and several friends, among 
them a considerable number of colored men, were 
already in the store, removing the goods. 

They were at first thrown into a pile in the cen¬ 
tre of the square, together with goods taken from 
other stores in the neighborhood; but the progress 
of the flames was so rapid that it was feared the 
goods thus deposited might be consumed, as they 
afterwards were, and Mr. Tappan therefore directed 
that the remaining goods should be taken from the 
rear to a friend’s store in the neighborhood. Had 
12 * 


274 


ARTHURTAPPAN. 


it not been tliat liis store extended to the street in 
the rear, very few of the goods could have been saved. 
All hands were thus engaged until the flames burst 
into the store, and several persevered until they 
were driven away by the scorching heat. In a 
short time the store, and a considerable part of the 
goods, were destroyed, the walls standing for a time 
and then falling, as had the walls of the other build¬ 
ings over which the fire had passed. 

As the flames swept on, in the direction of the 
store where the goods saved had been deposited, it 
was thought best to remove them a second time. A 
vacant store, remote from the fire, No. 25 Beaver- 
street, was hired, to which the goods were removed. 
Thus about two-tliirds of the stock was saved, and 
the other third was either burned, stolen, or tram¬ 
pled under foot in the streets. But it was ascer¬ 
tained, the next day, that about twenty thousand 
dollars’ worth of the goods thus twice moved, be¬ 
longed to neighbors. They were, of course, restored 
to those who could identify them, and this was the 
prevailing rule with all who had been so fortunate 
as to save their own goods, or the goods of others. 

A much larger amount of goods might have been 
saved by their owners, if, amid such bewilderment, 
they, and the people who volunteered their services, 
had not been somewhat under the dominion of a 
panic, that for the time almost deprived them of 
their judgment. For example, a person aiding in 
the removal of Mr. Tappan’s goods, was very care¬ 
fully unscrewing a timepiece, of the value of about 


LOSS BY THE HIKE. 


275 


fifteen or twenty dollars, when he was called off and 
a parcel of costly goods was thrown into his arms of 
the value of at least a thousand dollars. 

In the store was a fireproof closet, as it was 
supposed, and in the closet an iron safe, in which 
was kept the valuable papers of the firm, among 
them half a million dollars in value of notes receiva¬ 
ble. A short consultation was held by the partners, 
to determine whether the contents of the iron safe 
should be removed. They all believed that the fire 
could not invade them, but prudence seemed to urge 
their removal. The notes were accordingly removed 
to the dwelling-house of one of the partners; and 
very fortunately, as it was found afterwards that all 
the papers left in the iron safe were so charred as 
to be almost worthless. 

A good providence was apparent in the above, 
and also in the fact that the colored friends drawn 
to the store by grateful feelings towards Mr. Tap- 
pan, worked all night with a will, and were instru¬ 
mental in saving a large amount of property. “ The 
hand of Providence,” says one of the former clerks, 
“ was also put forth in other respects. On the morn¬ 
ing of the day when the fire took place, a large 
quantity of India silk goods was received, and the 
porter was directed to hoist them to one of the 
lofts, but he neglected to do it, a thing very unu¬ 
sual; and thus the whole, being in the basement, 
■were saved. Another circumstance occurred: A 
large invoice of French goods had been purchased, 
and all but two packages had been sold the after- 


276 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


noon preceding tlie fire, and delivered to the pur¬ 
chaser beyond the limits of the burnt district. It 
was proposed to delay the delivery of the goods to 
the next day, but the clerk remained until it was 
dark to see the goods sent away.” 

After a night of great anxiety and personal labor, 
the partners assembled at breakfast at an early 
hour with some of the principal clerks. The ques¬ 
tion was put, “What is to be done next?” The 
response came from Mr. Arthur Tappan, “Rebuild 
immediately.” A clerk was despatched to Samuel 
Thompson, the experienced builder of the burnt 
store, and in an hour or two a contract was made to 
erect a new store on the site of the old one “with all 
possible despatch.” A notice was then inserted in 
.the papers of the day, as follows: 

ARTHUR TAPPAN & CO. acknowledge with grati¬ 
tude the efficient exertions of their friends and fellow-citi¬ 
zens in saving (by the blessing of God) the largest portion of 
their goods, all their books of account, and most of their 
papers. They give notice that they have taken the new and 
commodious warehouse, No. 25 Beaver-street, into which 
their goods are moved, and where they will be arranged in 
a short time; and where they will be happy to see their 
friends and customers, until their store in Pearl-street shall 
be rebuilt, for which they have made arrangements. 

The effect of such a card was precisely what was 
anticipated. It greatly encouraged other merchants 
and owners of real estate, to bear up bravely, in a 
season of despondency; to rebuild, and not a few 
of them expressed their thanks for the prompt and 
encouraging notice. Great activity prevailed in the 


NEW STOKE BUILT. 277 

mercantile community in “repairing damages,” and 
making preparations to recommence business at the 
old stands. Instead of real estate falling in value, 
it seemed to rise. A. Tappan & Co. were offered a 
hundred thousand dollars for their lot, with only 
the brick and stone remaining upon it. 

The firm had, as they supposed, fully insured 
their stock of goods, but in consequence of the.fail¬ 
ure of several insurance offices, and the inability of 
others to pay the full amounts insured, resulting 
from losses by the fire, they found, on settling, that 
they had lost forty thousand dollars. This amount 
would have been much larger had not part of the 
insurance been effected in other places. The mob 
spirit that had prevailed in New York had led the 
firm to insure somewhat largely in Boston, and other 
cities in New England. 

A new store was erected, early in the ensuing 
year, of granite from the same quarry in the state 
of Maine as the former store, and in the most sub¬ 
stantial manner, several thousand dollars being 
expended for. iron shutters, and other fastenings, to 
secure the property against loss by mobs, should 
they again occur. Other buildings were speedily 
erected, more convenient and substantial than the 
old ones, and ere long, as if by magic, the whole 
“ burnt district ” was covered by new and substan¬ 
tial stores, dwellings, and public buildings. A new 
impulse was given to trade, and with crippled means, 
but indomitable courage, merchants seemed to out¬ 
vie each other in extending their sales. 


278 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


A man somewhat noted for his wickedness, but 
who had been religiously educated, accosted one of 
the firm of A. Tappan & Co., and said: “ I admire 
the spirit of your concern. You soar above all the 
sufferers by the fire. You put your trust in God.” 
But there were those who indulged in very different 
language, cursing the abolitionists and blaspheming 
God. Some of them expressed joy that the fire had 
not spared the store of Arthur Tappan, as it at one 
time threatened to do, while others lamented that he 
had suffered less than most of his neighbors. And 
there were not wanting men, even Christian profes¬ 
sors, who openly said, “ He is now deprived of the 
means of extensive mischief.” He might have said, 
as did one of old, “ They that sit in the gate speak 
against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.” 

Hundreds of thieves, it was said, were arrested 
after the fire, and taken to the police office, but not 
one of them a man of color! Several persons called 
at the new place of business, after the fire, for com¬ 
pensation for services said to have been rendered 
on that memorable night, but not a colored person 
preferred any claim. Doubtless they felt that they 
had worked for a benefactor. 

It was a man of color, who, by his thoughtfulness 
and bravery, arrested the fire, in one direction, as it 
threatened to extend to Broadway, and possibly to 
the North river. Thomas Downing lived in Broad- 
street near Wall-street, and perceiving that the flames 
were fast extending from the ruins of the church 
already mentioned, in Garden-street, (now Exchange- 


FINANCIAL CRISIS. 


279 


place,) and might sweep away his premises and hun¬ 
dreds of other buildings, set his wits to work to de¬ 
vise some method of arresting the fire. Finding in 
a shed in the rear of the burned church edifice some 
barrels filled with vinegar, he went to his house, 
brought pails, knocked in the heads of the barrels, 
bailed out the vinegar, and as fast as the flames 
caught the fence, dashed it on until the fire was 
subdued at the place, and a large amount of prop¬ 
erty saved. For this heroic act Mr. Downing receiv¬ 
ed the thanks of the merchants. 

A financial crisis was approaching. The expan¬ 
sion of trade much beyond the actual wants of the 
country, the extensive credits given by merchants, 
the failure of Southern traders to fulfil their engage¬ 
ments, added to the severe losses by the fire, and 
other causes, were rapidly bringing on general bank¬ 
ruptcy, a calamity greater, perhaps, than the fire 
itself. Although Mr. Tappan had aimed to be pru¬ 
dent, selling for cash to a greater extent than most 
firms in the street, yet he began to feel the effects 
of the prevailing system of over-trading and long 
credits. All his resources, of capital and credit, 
were required to sustain his own business; but sev¬ 
eral firms, that had been accustomed to receive aid 
from him, were now in straitened circumstances, and 
appealed to him, to sustain them. He did afford 
them, much assistance, probably more than a pru¬ 
dent regard for self-preservation justified. 

Money became more and more scarce, the banks 
could only extend partial relief, and the discount on 


280 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


business paper sold in Wall-street was very great. 
Under these circumstances, appeals for loans were 
npade to the United States Bank, located in Phila¬ 
delphia, by numerous merchants. Not all of them 
could furnish adequate security, and the applica¬ 
tions of many were rejected. Firm after firm sus¬ 
pended, or became publicly insolvent. Great con¬ 
sternation prevailed in the mercantile community. 

Mr. Tappan made an appeal to Mr. Biddle, 
president of the United States Bank, and who was 
then considered a Napoleon (the first) in finance. 
His brother went to Philadelphia, and urged on 
Mr. Biddle the importance of sustaining the firm, 
and suggested that any disastrous occurrence to it 
might involve the stoppage of several others. The 
sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars was 
obtained on A. Tappan & Go.’s note, endorsed by 
the firm with which they interchanged endorsements. 
This substantial relief appeared to be sufficient, not 
only to keep the credit of Mr. Tappan’s firm good, 
but to enable him to supply the necessities of smaller 
concerns depending upon him. 

The financial condition of the country, however, 
not improving, and the debtors of Arthur Tappan 
& Co. failing, in all quarters, to fulfil their engage¬ 
ments, the firm was put to great straits. They were 
under the necessity of maTdng another appeal to the 
United States Bank, but it was in vain. The presi¬ 
dent said it was with the utmost reluctance he felt 
obliged to deny the second application of so respect¬ 
able a house, but the resources of the bank, and the 


SUSPENSION. 


281 


claims of other parties, absolutely forbade compli¬ 
ance. On his brother’s return from Philadelphia, 
Mr. A. Tappan was at his desk anxiously waiting to 
hear the result of the application. 

When he saw his brother, he asked, “ What suc¬ 
cess?” The reply was, “We cannot obtain the 
money.” “What then is to be done?” “Nothing, 
I suppose, but to suspend payment,” was the obvi¬ 
ous reply. He bore the disappointment like a man 
who had done all he could to avert a calamity, and 
when it came, resigned himself to the will of God. 
He felt deeply the necessity of adding to the gen¬ 
eral distrust, of delaying the payment of his debts 
to those who needed the money, of disappointing 
the hopes of parties that leaned upon him, of not 
continuing the stated sums he had engaged to pay 
for the support of benevolent objects, and the other 
contributions he was wont to make. 

He calmly and resolutely set about making need¬ 
ful arrangements to make the blow fall as lightly as 
possible upon others, doing all he could for the ben¬ 
efit of his creditors, and to retrieve, if possible, his 
defeat. The suspension was publicly announced in 
May, 1837, and occasioned much sympathy on the 
part of many. After taking a full survey of his posi¬ 
tion and means, he, with the full concurrence of his 
partners, made a proposition to the creditors of the 
firm, to give new notes for existing ones, payable in 
six, twelve, and eighteen months, with interest. The 
whole amount of indebtedness was eleven hundred 
thousand dollars. 


282 


ARTHURTAPPAN. 


It was not an easy thing to fulfil this new engage¬ 
ment, as the credit of the firm was greatly impaired, 
ap.d a necessity laid upon them to purchase largely 
for cash. Added to this was the fact that a few of 
the creditors, who had refused “ signing off,” had to 
be paid in full, at earlier periods than those who had 
readily acceded to the proposition, unmindful that, in 
the uncertainties of trade, they might be under the 
necessity of some time asking a similar favor of their 
creditors. The creditors generally complied with the 
terms proposed, with full reliance that they were the 
best that could prudently be offered. Within the 
time the whole amount of indebtedness, with the 
accruing interest, was paid, together with a million 
and a half dollars for the purchase of new goods. 
The scarcity of money during the time bore heavily 
upon debtors, and Mr. Tappan had to pay tens of 
thousands of dollars for extra interest, to enable 
him to meet the notes given on retiring the previous 
notes. 

The result was deemed very creditable to his 
financial skill and laborious exertions. It raised 
him still higher in public estimation as an honorable 
merchant. He afterwards said, “ The cause of our 
suspension was having a very heavy stock of goods 
at a time of great general financial embarrassment.” 


MR. SETH B. HUNT’S NARRATIVE. 283 


XVIII. 

Me. Seth B. Hunt, who was one of Mr. Tappan’s 
clerks for several years, has furnished the following 
narrative, which may serve as an agreeable episode: 

At 122 Pearl-street, New York, June, 1830,1 first saw Mr. 
Arthur Tappan. He was sitting at his little desk in the mid¬ 
dle of the warehouse. I wanted a clerkship. He wanted an 
older person as salesman. He said I was too young. I told 
him that difficulty would daily grow less. He smiled, and 
engaged me at $150 per annum. 

January 1, 1831, I found my account credited at the rate 
of $450 per annum. I concluded he had made a mistake, and 
put down a 4 instead of a 1. I drew his attention to it, and 
he laughed, and said if I was satisfied he was. 

About that time, McDowall made his report about the 
Magdalen Asylum. It created a great excitement, and brought 
on Mr. Tappan and those who signed the report, great odi¬ 
um. Some of his friends backed out of it, and left him to 
bear the reproach and pay the hills. This he did—made no 
fuss about it, nor complained to any one, so far as I know. 

.... I do n’t quite remember the date, but the New York 
City Anti-Slavery Society was formed in the old Chatham- 
street Chapel, and before the conclusion of the ceremonies a 
great noise was heard outside. The mob was attempting to 
batter down the iron gate on Chatham-street. It did not give 
way, but when it was unlocked in rushed the mob like mad¬ 
men. 

At the conclusion of the short meeting, we all ran out a 
back way. I went back into the chapel to see the mob break 
every chandelier, lamp, bench, and every other article break¬ 
able. They put a big black man in the pulpit, and in pure 
derision held him there, while he was addressed as chairman, 
and while the smashing was going on—hooting, screaming, 


284 ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

groaning, crowing, yelling; so began tke New York Anti- 
Slavery Society! 

Soon after came what are called the Abolition mobs. Mr. 
Arthur Tappan’s store, 122 Pearl-street, was one of the prin¬ 
cipal objects. His business was suspended, the oldest clerks 
were put on guard; tliirty-six stand of arms were bought at 
Hinton’s, in Broadway, and five hundred ball cartridges. 
This looked like business. For several nights and days we 
were behind the closed doors to defend Mr. Tappan’s prop¬ 
erty. The mob, one afternoon, battered the front door with 
an awning-post. Every window above the first story was 
broken by stones, there being no shutters above the first 
story. 

Some thirty or forty of us were ready behind the door, 
Mr. Arthur Tappan himself in command. Every moment 
we expected the door to give way. “Steady, boys,” says Mr. 
Tappan. “Fire low. Shoot them in the legs, then they 
can’t run !” 

Mr. Cornelius W. Lawrence was mayor of the city at the 
time, and refused to send relief. Mr. Tappan was perfectly 
calm and composed. He certainly was as brave a man as I 
ever saw. 

In after years I lived in Brooklyn his next-door neighbor, 
and so modest was he that he never alluded to these stirring 
scenes. Nothing seemed to annoy him more than to talk 
about himself. 

He had an innate modesty as delicate as a girl’s. When 
he entered a prayer-meeting, he usually sat down with the 
colored people near the door. He was not a ready speaker, 
nor what some would call gifted in prayer. But the simple 
earnestness of his petitions, his deep humility and reverence 
before God, never failed to make a lasting impression. 

* Mr. Tappan made no pretence to superior mental endow¬ 
ments, but his moral nature was permeated by a sense of jus¬ 
tice. He had in every respect an exalted virtue. No one 
could be much with him and not feel this to be true. His 
personal purity no one would question. I have seen him get 
irritated at some trifle, and yet when the providence of God 
had stopped his business and seemed to have ruined him in 


MR. SETH B. HUNT’S NARRATIVE. 285 


that respect, he was the most cheerful of any one of us. 
Rarely did he indulge in jokes, but on that occasion he was 
in the mood of it, and got off not a few of them. 

In regard to his Christian character, he appeared to be 
fully impressed with the great truths of Revelation, and daily 
doing his duty under its awful sanctions. The simplicity of 
his faith, the purity of his life, the steadiness and constancy 
of his pious efforts, the unquestioning obedience with which 
he walked forward in the path of duty, reminded one of a 
primitive Christian believer; and the charm of it all was, 
that when he had so done his duty and achieved a great act, 
he seemed totally unconscious of it himself. 

In 1833 or ’4, he boarded with Mrs. Eleanor Woods, 21 
Broadway. I also boarded there. He had one set of keys 
to the store; I had a duplicate set. It grew to be a strife 
which would be at the store earliest to open it. One morn¬ 
ing I went at six or half-past. Opening the door, I found 
Mr. Tappan sitting on a case of goods, behind the door. He 
smiled, and informed me he had got up, as it was light, and 
had, without looking at his watch, come down, supposing it 
was day; but on looking, he found it only half-past two 
o’clock—a bright moonlight! He then tried to relock the 
door, but could not. The fact was, there was a certain 
spring you had to press with your finger to lock the door, and 
having never locked it, he was unacquainted with it. The 
watchman finding him there and the door open, and not able 
to lock his own store, threatened to take him to the police 
station. But neither of them being able to lock or other¬ 
wise secure the door, there was no alternative but for him to 
sit patiently behind the door and watch the watchman, and 
the watchman to watch him. In the evening I often had 
occasion to go to his room. His open Bible showed what 
book was his delight. 

After he retired, and towards the close of his life, some 
of those who had been his clerks offered, if he needed, to 
buy for him an annuity. He sent word that “the voyage 
was nearly over, the provisions on board just about sufficient 
to last out the voyage; more were not needed.” Noble words 
of an heroic spirit! 


286 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


The indictment against Socrates was, that he brought into 
contempt the religion of the country and corrupted the youth 
of Athens. A majority of his eleven judges voted to convict 
him of these charges, and condemned him to drink the hem¬ 
lock. In the delay of his execution, friends offered to send 
him away to avoid death. Socrates declined their generous 
offers. He well knew how utterly false were both the charges 
on which he was condemned, and calmly accepted his fate, 
trusting that even Athens would do justice to his memory. 
So with Mr. Arthur Tappan. The opinions and approval of 
his fellow-men he valued. Kind actions or words also deeply 
affected him ; but the voice of his conscience ever produced 
on his part a ready obedience. His life was pure; his exam¬ 
ple influential for good ; his memory blessed. 

New York, Nov. 27,1369. SETH B. HUNT. 

At a later date Mr. Hunt writes: 

At one time my firm purchased a large lot of children’s 
handkerchiefs at auction. Among them were those on the 
subjects of temperance, Sunday-schools, and abolition of sla¬ 
very. The latter were particularly striking—a negro kneel¬ 
ing and chained, with the motto, 

“AM I NOT A MAN AND A BROTHER?” 

Some of these were sold by the package and shipped South. 
The store of the purchaser was taken possession of by the 
vigilance committee, and of course a great stir was made 
about the affair in the papers. 

The next season after that, I saw a tall gentleman, blue 
coat, metal buttons, standing at the door looking in. I bade 
him good morning, and asked him to walk in. He declined, 
and said he believed we employed “ nigger ” clerks to wait on 
people. I assured him such was not the case, and he ap¬ 
peared greatly surprised. I asked him again to come in, and 
gradually he had got inside the door. Then turning very 
seriously to me, he said, “ Before I consent to look at your 
goods, you must tell me if you be really an abolitionist.” 
“Well,” said I, with equal seriousness and concern, “before 
I consent to show you any goods, I must ask you one ques¬ 
tion ; are you, or are you not, a close-communion Baptist ?” 


MB. SETH B. HUNT’S NARRATIVE. 287 


“What has that got to do with your showing me your 
goods?” “Exactly as much as your asking me if we are 
abolitionists, before you consent to look at our goods.” 

This illustrates the feelings which animated a majority of 
dealers from the South. How high this feeling ran, even in 
New York, will be illustrated by the following anecdote : I 
boarded at the Merchants’ Hotel, in Broad-street, kept by a 
man named Thurston, at the time of the riots. After break¬ 
fast, one morning, Mr. Thurston told me he wished I would 
find another boarding-place. I asked the reason, or if I had 
done any thing amiss. He said, “ No ; but the other board¬ 
ers declared they would not have a clerk of that d-d 

abolitionist, Arthur Tappan, in the house.” So he sent up to 
the top of the house for my trunk. I paid my bill, and went 
to board at 21 Broadway, with that godly and noble woman, 
Mrs. Woods. 

I took a kind of boy’s oath against slavery, and whatever 
I have since done or left undone, that oath has been fulfilled. 
I came, when a lad, from V ermont, thinking little, and at the 
time caring less, on the subject; and yet here I was turned 
out of a hotel for being a clerk to an abolitionist! In less 
than a week from that time, “Jim,” the colored waiter, and 
I helped one slave to run off to Canada. 

Mr. Arthur Tappan was sometimes rather ungracious in 
small affairs, but always noble in important matters; for 
instance, in the end of 1835,1 failed to arrange terms to stay 
with the firm of Arthur Tappan & Co., and parted with Mr. 
Tappan, as I thought, coolly. He certainly was not over- 
courteous when we parted. I feared I had in some way 
offended him. What was my surprise, one day, soon after 
my leaving him, when he stood at my desk, looking earnestly 
at me, and said, “ I thought you might need a bank endorser, 
and I came to say that we would go on your paper for twenty- 
five thousand dollars.” Before I recovered from my surprise 
or had time to thank him, he was half way out of the store. 
The custom then was for merchants to exchange paper to use 
in bank. I had no occasion to avail myself of the offer, but it 
illustrates one trait of his character. His motto seemed to be, 

it 


DEEDS, NOT WOBDS. 



288 


ARTHURTAPPAN. 


XIX, 

The anti-slavery cause was steadily advancing. 
Cradled in storms, opposed in its infancy and youth 
by political and ecclesiastical bodies, it now, in vig¬ 
orous manhood, asserted its uncompromising prin¬ 
ciples, maintained its ground, and pressed forward 
with energy and hope, trusting that, under the bless¬ 
ing of a God of freedom and righteousness, it would 
attain to a glorious consummation. Some questions 
arose among abolitionists concerning the treatment 
due to colored people by their professed friends, in 
the social circle and the walks of business; and 
respecting the obligation of keeping the cause free 
from entanglement with other mooted questions; 
and with reference to agitating the public mind with 
the political relations of the subject. 

The discussion^ of these questions, with the 
vehemence natural to those who were, par excellence , 
the friends and exponents of free discussion, made 
the enemies of the anti-slavery cause exult with 
anticipations of the speedy dissolution of the associ¬ 
ation for the deliverance of the slave. But these 
hopes of the conservative, time-serving, and fearful 
portions of the community were not destined to be 
fulfilled. The seed of freedom, widely sown by 
indefatigable agents, had struck deep root, and was 
to spring up and bear abundant fruit. The senti¬ 
ment of the renowned champion of freedom, Mil- 


BRITISH EMANCIPATION. 


289 


ton, was to have fresli corroboration: “ Though all 
the winds of doctrine be let loose to play upon the 
earth, so truth be in the field, we do injuriously to 
doubt her strength. Let her and falsehood grap¬ 
ple. Who ever knew truth put to the worse by a 
free and open encounter?” 

The executive committee of the American Anti- 
Slavery Society issued new publications; they pub¬ 
lished an address to auxiliary societies, congratu¬ 
lating them upon the success of the cause, urging 
them to renewed efforts, and advising to an increased 
supply of means to carry on the work. Articles favor¬ 
ing emancipation were inserted in the daily papers; 
and in various other ways the cause was urged for¬ 
ward with zeal and energy. No one felt a deeper 
interest in these measures than Arthur Tappan. 
His purse, his prayers, his time, his influence were 
consecrated to the cause; he never doubted its 
eventual success; and he gloried in the opportunity 
offered him of being one of its leaders. He, in 
common with all his fellow-laborers, rejoiced in the 
emancipation of the slaves in the British West In¬ 
dies, eight hundred thousand in number, and in the 
tidings borne to these shores by so many witnesses 
of the success that had attended that great act of 
freedom, both as it respected the good conduct of 
the emancipated and the acquiescence of the princi¬ 
pal part of the planters. 

The news from the West Indies greatly exhilara¬ 
ted the friends of the colored man in this country, 
as it added weight to the arguments in favor of the 
13 


290 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


safety as well as righteousness of immediate eman¬ 
cipation on the soil. 

■ A disastrous event in this our land showed them 
that men who would be true to the sacred cause of 
immediatism, must, here as well as in other lands, 
wage this holy war at the risk of their lives, and 
sometimes at the sacrifice of life. The intelligence 
of the death of Elijah P. Love joy, of Alton, Ill., 
November 7, 1837, murdered by a pro-slavery mob, 
filled the hearts of his friends with grief, and the 
friends of liberty with horror. A public meeting 
was held at Broadway Tabernacle on the occasion, 
a funeral discourse was pronounced, and at a 
special meeting of the executive committee of the 
society appropriate resolutions were adopted and 
widely published. They recommended to all the 
auxiliary and other anti-slavery societies, and all 
friends of immediate emancipation, to hold solemn 
public meetings on the 22d of December, to com¬ 
memorate in a suitable manner the martyrdom of 
Mr. Love joy; enjoined it upon all agents of the 
society to make new and more vigorous efforts to 
enlighten the minds of the community respecting 
the doctrines and measures of the society, to secure 
funds for the increase of agents and the multiplica¬ 
tion of publications; called upon ministers and oth¬ 
ers who had hitherto declined a public advocacy of 
the cause, now to stand forth and plead for the suf¬ 
fering and the dumb; and directed that fifty thou¬ 
sand copies of the monthly newspaper, entitled 
Human Bights, be published, in mourning, contain- 


MOTTO ON BOWIE KNIVES. 


291 


ing a biographical sketch of Mr. Lovejoy, the efforts 
made by liin\ in the cause of freedom and other 
moral reforms, a history of the mob, etc., with an 
appeal to the American people and the civilized 
world. These resolutions were signed by Arthur 
Tappan, chairman, and sent forth on the wings of 
the wind. 

There were abundant reasons for earnest activ¬ 
ity, in this as well as in other parts of the country; 
for while the abolitionists w^ere all alive in promul¬ 
gating their sentiments, and maintaining them at 
whatever cost, the friends and allies of the slave 
power were also alert and outspoken; men “who 
whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows 
to shoot their arrows, even bitter words; .... 
they commune of laying snares privily; they say, 
Who shall see them?” In a bow-window in the 
most public street in the city of New York were 
exhibited Bowie knives, with the inscription on the 
blade, Death to Abolition. These weapons of. 
assassination were, it was said, manufactured in 
England. If this were so, it was evident that they 
w r ere intended and ordered for the American mar¬ 
ket; and the fact that about the same time a manu¬ 
facturer in the neighboring town of Newark, N. J., 
fabricated similar instruments, with the same motto, 
demonstrated the animus of opponents, while the 
measure was to the threatened party a vain terror. 

Men in high places continued, though less nu¬ 
merously than heretofore, to misrepresent and malign 
the men whose only offence was the assertion and 


292 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


defence of right principles; and leading clergymen 
made strong efforts to suppress the agitation that 
prevailed; while Recorder Rikek spoke of the dan¬ 
ger of “turning loose ” two millions of slaves. Amid 
all the agitation, the abolitionists seemed to be the 
only sane portion of the community. 

By-and-by, more favorable changes took place 
in public sentiment. Monthly concerts of prayer 
for the enslaved were observed in many places, and 
anti-slavery societies were formed in a large number 
of churches. The anniversaries of anti-slavery soci¬ 
eties were more largely attended, and statesmen 
began to feel the importance of guiding rightly the 
awakened consciences of the people. The effect of 
these measures was soon apparent in the commu¬ 
nity, as the following anecdote evinces: 

At a village in the state of New York, where at 
one time there had been but two abolitionists, one 
a Presbyterian and the other a Methodist, and only 
a meetinghouse of each denomination, the two 
resolved on having an anti-slavery lecture. Being 
unable to procure a suitable place, they advertised 
that, on such a day and hour, a lecturer would 
deliver an address at such place as might he offered . 
The day arrived, and the lecturer came. “ Where 
is the meeting to be held?” inquired he. “We do 
not know,” replied the brethren, “ no place has been 
offered us yet.” At this moment they heard the 
Methodist bell strike, and a few seconds after the 
Presbyterian bell. Both houses were opened, and 
as the Presbyterian meetinghouse was the largest, 


JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 


293 


the meeting was held there, and the whole village 
turned out to hear the lecturer. 

Another gratifying evidence of a change in sen¬ 
timent favorable to the anti-slavery cause, was the 
fact that business men, who had imagined that the 
world was coming to an end, if the abolition heresy 
prevailed, were convalescent and nearly restored to 
their right minds. Before the great fire in 1835, 
Arthur Tappan & Co. were obliged to insure their 
stock of goods partly in Boston, because the best 
New York insurance companies could not take all 
that was wanted; but this year the Boston compa¬ 
nies equalized their premiums on New York risks 
with the officers in the latter city. To the question, 
“ Why did you not do so before ?” the answer was, 
“ The difference was for abolition risky Thus it 
appeared that risk was then considered at an end. 

The annual meeting of the Anti-Slavery Society, 
May, 1838, was the largest that had ever been con¬ 
vened. Arthur Tappan presided. The services con¬ 
tinued about four hours. Letters were read from 
several distinguished persons, and among others, one 
from the Hon. John Quincy Ad avis. He said: “ It 
will not therefore be in my power to attend the 
meeting of the Anti-Slavery Society, but my best 
wishes will be with them, that their institution may 
be blessed with the smile and approbation of Heaven 
for the promotion of the general cause of human 
liberty, and for the extermination from the face of 
the earth of the doctrine fit to have issued from the 
head of Caligula or the heart of Nero, that bondage 


294 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


is the appropriate corner-stone to the temple of free¬ 
dom” 

Other statesmen have been, by fits and starts, 
outspoken in denunciation of slavery, but who have 
not, like Mr. Adams, been the constant advocates of 
human freedom. Miss Martineau, in her “Retro¬ 
spect of Western Travel,” in mentioning President 
Madison, whom, she visited, says: “He observed 
that the whole Bible is against slavery; but that 
the clergy do not preach this, and the people do not 
see it.” 

It may be pertinently inquired why a statesman 
who uttered the above sentiments, and who long pre¬ 
viously avowed them in the convention that adopted 
the constitution of his country, continued to uphold 
slavery by his own example, and left to his heirs a 
hundred or more persons in bondage, to be sold, as 
their necessities might require, at the auction block. 
With regard to his remark about the “clergy,” the 
charge might have proceeded more appropriately 
from other lips. The fact is, both statesmen and 
clergymen, prophets and priests, smothered their 
convictions, thus bringing to mind the declaration 
of ancient times: “ A w r onderful and horrible thing 
is committed in the land; the prophets prophesy 
falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; 
and my people love to have it so: and what will ye 
do in the end thereof?” 

The revulsion in Mr. Tappan’s mercantile affairs 
had given him poignant grief in many respects, as 
will naturally be supposed. But it was not so much 


EFFORTS TO SUSTAIN CREDIT. 295 


on Iris own account as for others that this grief was 
intensified. Submitting without a murmur to the 
decree of an overruling Providence, he could not 
but be grieved that the suspension of his mercantile 
firm necessarily deprived other firms of the support 
he had cheerfully given them in his prosperity; that 
it increased the load under which his solvent cred¬ 
itors were weighed down; that it obliged him to 
postpone or relinquish the aid he had encouraged 
benevolent and religious institutions to expect from 
him; that it curtailed his expenditures for charita¬ 
ble objects, and especially for the anti-slavery cause. 
Still, with resolute courage and hopeful effort, he 
buckled on the harness anew, relying upon his in¬ 
dustry, perseverance, integrity, the good will of the 
community, and above all, the sustaining grace of 
God. 

His business appeared to be gaining success, and 
there was a prospect of recovering the prosperity 
he had previously enjoyed. Others saw this as well 
as himself, and efforts were made to draw him into 
speculations of various kinds, some of them having 
connection with mercantile business. He listened 
to one or more of the schemes that were projected 
by men of considerable experience, but after full 
consideration, resolved not to engage in any other 
business than that he had so long pursued, for the 
present at least. Besides, his confidence in institu¬ 
tions that had formerly interested him was consid¬ 
erably lessened. “ I do not,” he said, “ see the use 
of money as formerly. If I give it to a literary 


296 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


institution it may be perverted. Holiness is wanted 
more than money or men. Oberlin seems to be 
doing some good, and also the Oneida Institute.” 

In the course of eighteen months, the renewed 
notes, given after his suspension, for eleven hundred 
thousand dollars, were, as already said, all paid, 
though to effect this object the interest, with the 
sacrifices to raise money, amounted to more than a 
hundred thousand dollars. But his business w T as 
apparently prosperous, and continued so, while the 
sales were for cash or notes on a short time. He 
had made great efforts to continue his business on 
its former scale. To this end unusual risks were 
taken, particularly in selling goods on credit to a 
dangerous extent. Northern customers were very 
slack in payments, while those at the South paid 
little or nothing. So great was the distress at the 
South, that a lawyer in Alabama wrote to a mer¬ 
chant in New York: “ There is at this time no 
money in circulation here. A thousand dollars’ 
worth of good real property, will not at this time 
[in 1840] command seventy-five dollars in cash.” 

A fatal mistake was also made by Mr. Tappan in 
yielding his consent to the proposition of a friend, 
to be concerned in real estate operations, and ma¬ 
king himself responsible for the result. Business 
too suddenly fell off, money became very scarce, 
three per cent, a month being paid for interest, and 
failures taking place every day. Another suspen¬ 
sion seemed inevitable; but in order to avoid it, the 
firm took up its paper by paying half the amount in 


BANKRUPTCY. 


297 


cash, and giving new notes for the other half. Not¬ 
withstanding these efforts, the perplexities of busi¬ 
ness increased, until he felt compelled to retire from 
the firm, his brother having previously dissolved his 
connection with it, to engage in another pursuit, at 
a time when the affairs of the copartnership seemed 
prosperous. Mr. Arthur Tappan went into bank¬ 
ruptcy, surrendered up all his property, and lost all 
but his honor. To use his own words: “We did a 
prosperous business, and paid up the whole, with 
interest, within the eighteen months stipulated. The 
second interruption to the business was because 1 
was unable to meet my engagements for land pur¬ 
chases made by Mr. P-, with my responsibility, 

and I only of our firm failed. The business went 
on under a new firm, and the debts of the firm were, 
with some extensions, all paid with interest.” He 
submitted to the misfortune with cheerful resigna¬ 
tion, surrendered all his property to the marshal of 
the district, took his watch from his pocket and 
sent it to the marshal to be sold with his furniture, 
went into the service of his former partners, and 
continued housekeeping on a scale suited to his 
altered circumstances. 

A merchant in New York, who had long known 
him in his days of prosperity, but had not sympa¬ 
thized with him in his anti-slavery enterprise, said: 
“If Arthur Tappan will allow his name to be put 
up on my store, and sit in an arm-chair in my count¬ 
ing room, I will pay him $3,000 a year.” 

Besides a consciousness that he was acting as 
13* 


298 


ABTHUE TAPPAN. 


became an honorable merchant, and a Christian, he 
set an example worthy of imitation by other mer¬ 
chants involved in bankruptcy, avoiding “the ap¬ 
pearance of evil ” and having a conscience void of 
offence. He did not, of course, pretend to excuse 
himself for entering upon such a speculative project. 
He aimed to benefit a friend, who had not been for¬ 
tunate in his own business, relied upon this friend’s 
judgment rather than his own in the speculation, 
and was probably influenced also by a desire to re¬ 
trieve some of his own losses. It was an error, but, 
being in, he made the best of it. His advances, 
though not sufficient to discharge the obligations, 
were equal to the sum his creditors had paid for the 
property. 

Among other sympathizing Mends of Mr. Tap- 
pan, was the world-renowned philanthropist Joseph 
Stuege of England, who, in his visits to New York, 
had been greatly interested in his public character, 
and felt for him a strong Mendship. 

In Mr. Sturge’s work, entitled “A Visit to the 
United States in 1841,” he states: 

I had much pleasure and satisfaction in my intercourse 
here with several individuals distinguished in the anti-sla¬ 
very cause, some of whom I met in 1837, during a short visit 
to New York on my way to the West Indies. Among them 
ought particularly to be mentioned the brothers Arthur and 
Lewis Tappan. The former was elected president of the 
American Anti-slavery Society on its formation, and re¬ 
mained at its head until the division, which took place last 
year; when he became president of the American and For¬ 
eign Anti-slavery Society. His name is not more a byword 
of reproach, than a watchword of alarm throughout the slave 


LETTER EROM JOSEPH STURGE. 299 


states, and the slaveholders have repeatedly set a high price 
upon his head by advertisement in the public papers. In 
the just estimation of the pro-slavery party, Arthur Tap- 
pan is ABOiiinoN personified; and truly the cause needs 
not to be ashamed of its representative, for a more deserv¬ 
edly honored and estimable character it would be difficult to 
find. In personal deportment he is unobtrusive and silent; 
his sterling qualities are veiled by reserve, and are in them¬ 
selves such as make the least show—clearness and judgment, 
prudence and great decision. 

He is the head of an extensive mercantile establishment, 
and the high estimation in which he is held by his fellow- 
citizens, notwithstanding the unpopularity of his views on 
slavery, is the result of a long and undeviating career of pub¬ 
lic spirit and private integrity, and of an uninterrupted suc¬ 
cession of acts of benevolence. During a series of years of 
commercial prosperity, his revenues have been distributed 
with an unsparing hand through the various channels which 
promised benefit to his fellow-creatures; and in this respect 
his gifts, though large and frequent, are probably exceeded 
in usefulness by the influence of his example as a man and 
a Christian.* 

The same friend expressed his deep concern at 
the subsequent losses of Arthur Tappan, as was in¬ 
dicated in a letter to his brother dated— 

Birmingham, Eng., 9mo. 17, 1842. 

My Dear Friend : . . . . The ways of God are not as our 
ways, nor are his thoughts as our thoughts. In his fatherly 
corrections he often sees meet to try us most closely upoD 
those points which we think most hard to bear, and to teach 
us there is such a thing as an unlawful desire for lawful 
things ; and perhaps thy noble and generous-hearted broth¬ 
er, who wished only for wealth to enable him to lessen the 
sum of human misery, may be permitted to see that neither 
his happiness nor his usefulness would have been promoted 
had his desires in this respect been granted. 

See Appendix 5, for statement respecting Jamaica. 



300 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


I hope and believe that the Divine blessing will accom¬ 
pany him to his retirement, and should his day of active labor 
be nearly closed, may he be permitted the assurance that his 
day’s work has kept pace with the day, and that to him who 
feels that, through the boundless mercy of a crucified Re¬ 
deemer, he has a well-grounded hope that he shall safely 
enter that city “whose walls are salvation, and whose gates 
are praise,” it matters little whether he be actually employed 
or belong to those of whom it is said— 

“They also serve who only stand and wait” 

Please remember me affectionately to him. 



SEPARATION OF ABOLITIONISTS. 301 


XX. 


At the seventh annual meeting of the American 
Anti-slavery Society, May, 1840, a division of the 
body took place. Causes had been in operation 
some time that weakened the bonds which held the 
members of the society together, and they at last 
culminated in a rupture that left each portion to 
pursue the course it deemed necessary to secure 
ultimate triumph over a common enemy. But as 
we are not writing a history of the anti-slavery en¬ 
terprise, no attempt will be made to state, at length, 
the causes of the division. 

The editor of the Philanthropist said: “It is 
unnecessary to enter into an explanation of these 
causes, but they may be ranged under the general 
heads of non-resistance—woman’s rights—denunci¬ 
ation of the clergy—personal ambition—unavoida¬ 
ble sectarian affinities and prejudices.”* To which 
may be added different views of the Constitution of 
the United States, as it respects the support or non¬ 
support given by it to slavery—also of the declara¬ 
tion of sentiment that accompanied the constitution 
of the Anti-slavery Society with respect to political 
action. 

Neither portion had, at the time of separation, 
any idea of favoring any political party, although 
* See Philanthropist of June 16, 1840. 


302 


AETHUE TAPPAN. 


the minority of those taking part in the proceedings 
at this annual meeting claimed that political action 
in some form was authorized by the convention that 
formed the National Anti-slavery Society, as appears 
by the following clause in the declaration of senti¬ 
ment: “There are at the present time the highest 
obligations resting upon the people of the free states 
to remove slavery by moral and political action as 
prescribed in the constitution of the United States.” 

In accordance with this principle, the executive 
committee of the society had adopted the following 
resolution: 

Office of the American Anti-slavery Society, ) 

143 Nassau-street, New York, ) 
October 30, 1838. 

At a special meeting of the executive committee of the 
American Anti-slavery Society it was unanimously 

Resolved, That this Committee, concurring in the senti¬ 
ment universally expressed by abolitionists throughout the 
country, that political preferences are to be sacrificed to the 
interests of humanity , are of opinion that the reply of Mr. 
Bradish entitles him to the cordial support of abolitionists at 
the approaching election, and that on the other hand the re¬ 
plies of Mr. Seward and Governor Marcy show that the cause 
of human rights has nothing to expect from the election of 
either of them, and hence every vote which is given to either 
will be an injury to that cause. 

Resolved, That the friends of humanity throughout this 
state be earnestly requested to withhold their votes from 
Messrs. Seward and Marcy, and every other candidate who 
answers to the same effect or neglects to answer at all. 

Published by order of the committee. 

ARTHUR TAPPAN, Chairman, 

E. Wright, Jr., Rec. Sec., pro tem. 

This was as far as the society felt prepared to go 
at that time. In a year or two, a step or two was 


ANNUAL MEETING. 


303 


made in advance. In the National Intelligencer is a 
letter stating: “ There are abolitionists belonging to 
both of the above named societies, who are in favor 
of independent anti-slavery nominations. . . Neither 
of the societies, as such, favors the plan of & distinct 
abolition political party. The new society, although 
it recognizes the rightful existence of human gov¬ 
ernment, will carefully abstain from all the machin¬ 
ery of party political arrangements in effecting its 
object, and does not require a pledge to vote, as a 
condition of membership, yet will urge on all the 
duty of exercising political power in behalf of the 
slave. It will employ means which are of a moral, 
religious, and pacific character.”* 

The whole number attending this annual meeting 
was, as appeared by the recorded votes, 1,008, and in 
a test vote the numbers stood 557 against 451. The 
minority claimed that the majority was swelled by the 
attendance of a large number of persons, especially 
women, who came from a single state, with the 
avowed purpose of controlling the votes of those 
who had been accustomed to attend the annual 
meetings. And this claim appeared to be correct 
as of those attending the meeting no less than 464 
were from the state of Massachusetts. 

One of the first items of business at the meeting 
was to choose a business committee. The acting 
president, Francis Jackson, nominated a woman on 
this committee, associated with eleven men. This 
was objected to, but a majority constituted as already 
o See National Intelligencer of June 1, 1840. 


304 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


stated, supported the nomination. Several nomina¬ 
ted to serve on the committee, declined serving, in 
. consequence of the act of the majority. They sta- 
X ted that the innovation seemed to them repugnant to 
the constitution of the society—that it was throwing 
a fire-brand into anti-slavery meetings—that it was 
contrary to the usages of the civilized world—and 
that it tended to destroy the efficiency of woman’s 
anti-slavery action. 

^ But, although the Anti-slavery Society split on 
the test vote mentioned, the question of “ woman’s 
rights” was not the only matter of difference, as 
^has been already intimated. It was thought that 
the time had come for a separation, and a new 
organization. A preliminary meeting was held to 
consider the subject, and after prayerful considera¬ 
tion, it was unanimously resolved that it was best 
to separate from the old society, and organize a new 
association. A general meeting was notified, and 
^ numerously attended. About three hundred mem¬ 
bers of the old society enrolled their names, and 
organized a convention, which held its sessions dur¬ 
ing three days. 

A new society was formed, named the American 
and Foreign Anti-slavery Society. As its constitu¬ 
tion contemplated enlarged action with reference to 
the slave-trade, especially co-ordinate with the Brit¬ 
ish and Foreign Anti-slavery Society, the new asso¬ 
ciation introduced the word “foreign” in its desig¬ 
nation. 

Whatever may have been thought by the aboli- 


PRESIDENT OF THE NEW SOCIETY. 305 


tionists, or tlieir opponents, at tlie time of the sepa¬ 
ration, of the anti-slavery body it will be conced¬ 
ed now, it is believed, that the cause was greatly 
promoted by that measure. Like the division of 
Christians into different denominations, the com¬ 
bined action being an increase of zeal and efficiency, 
the division of the abolitionists probably called out 
increased activity and liberality. 

Arthur Tappan was chosen president of the new 
society, and also chairman of the executive com¬ 
mittee, after having declined a re-election as head of 
the old society, over which he had presided since its 
formation. He preferred associating with those 
in whose views he sympathized, although cherish¬ 
ing feelings of regard for many of his former as¬ 
sociates. An address “to the friends of the anti- 
slavery cause throughout the United States and the 
world,” issued by the executive committee and bear¬ 
ing his signature, was widely published. It stated 
the ground of disagreement in the anti-slavery ranks, 
gave a history of the proceedings before and after 
the rupture, and stated the principles that would 
govern the new society. It ended as follows : 

The committee earnestly request the prayers of Christian 
abolitionists, that they may have wisdom from above, profit¬ 
able to direct, and they invite all their fellow-citizens who 
pity the enslaved, who desire to promote the best interests 
of the slaveholder, who love their country, who respect the 
rights of man, and reverence the laws of God, to unite with 
the society in the great work of bringing about the extinc¬ 
tion of the slave trade, and slavery, in this land and through¬ 
out the world. 

ARTHUR TAPPAN, President. 

S. W. Benedict, Rec. Sec. 


306 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


Among the members of the old society who were 
not present to take part in the discussion and vote 
that led to the separation were the writers of the 
following letters: 

Judge William Jay, one of the vice-presidents of the 
new Society, in a letter to the recording secretary of the old 
society, dated June 8, 1840, said : “Persuaded as I am that 
the society under its present control is exerting an influence 
adverse to domestic order and happiness, inconsistent with 
the precepts of the gospel, and exceedingly injurious to the 
anti-slavery cause, I deem it my duty to request you to erase 
my name from the roll of its members.” 

John J. Whittier, in a letter to Rev. Joshua Leavitt, of 
June 6, 1840, said : “The anti-slavery host has been severed 
in twain. The thing which I have greatly feared has come 
upon us. The original cause of the difficulty—a disposition 
to engraft foreign questions upon the simple stock of imme¬ 
diate emancipation, I early discovered, and labored to the 
extent of my ability to counteract. . . . But the separation 
has taken place; and I can now only hope that both parties 
will go forward, each in its own way, steadily and without 
turning aside to assail each other, to promote the great and 
good cause to which they stand pledged before the world.” 

An official organ of the new society was com¬ 
menced, styled the American and Foreign Antishr 
very Reporter. This publication, together with the 
published annual reports, exhibit the doings of the 
society under Mr. Tappan’s presidency. During the 
thirteen or more years he acted in that capacity, 
he presided at the meetings of the executive com¬ 
mittee, and at the annual meetings, contributed to 
the funds according to his ability, and labored ear¬ 
nestly to promote the efficient action of the society. 

About this time a considerable number of aboli- 


THE NATIONAL ERA. 


307 


tionists of both societies, chiefly, however, of those 
favorable to the new society, united in forming the 
“Liberty Party,” an anti-slavery political organiza¬ 
tion, and put in nomination their own candidates. 
Some hesitated, who, at length, voted with their for¬ 
mer associates. Others declined voting at all. Not 
a few continued to vote with the parties to which 
they had long been attached, and some strenuously 
opposed the Liberty party. Mr. Garrison and his 
adherents were of the latter class. Mr. Tappan, 
most of the active promoters of the new society, and 
friends of the old committee, went for the Liberty 
party. 

The National Era , a weekly paper, was estab¬ 
lished at the city of Washington, by the American 
and Foreign Anti-slavery Society, under the edito¬ 
rial care of Dr. Gamaliel L. Bailey, former editor of 
the Philanthropist at Cincinnati, January 7, 1847. 
It was sustained by the society until it was firmly 
established, when it was sold to the editor without 
loss to the Society. By him it was conducted, wise¬ 
ly and courteously, with much advantage to the 
cause of emancipation, until his lamented decease. 

The paper had a large circulation throughout 
the country; and together with the social weekly 
gatherings at the house of the editor, gained the 
good will of members of Congress of different views 
with regard to slavery, and gave a respectability to 
abolitionism in the eyes of the nation. Mr. Tappan 
was a true friend of the editor, who had his confi¬ 
dence and support. The present Chief Justice 


308 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


Chase was the personal friend of Dr. Bailey, ad¬ 
vised and otherwise aided him for a series of years, 
and was the means of introducing the paper to 
many distinguished persons. 

Mr. Tappan, also aided in an attempt to estab¬ 
lish another paper in Washington, called “Der Na¬ 
tional Demokrat,” edited by Mr. Frederick Schmidt. 
It was to be printed in the German language, and 
to be circulated among the large and increasing 
portion of the inhabitants who speak or read that 
language. The Germans who emigrate to this coun¬ 
try have, as is well known, democratic tendencies, 
and on arriving here very often affiliate with the 
democracy of this country, wholly unsuspicious that 
the name democrat does not always indicate the 
political character of those who bear it. To unde¬ 
ceive his deluded countrymen was the object of the 
editor, and it was a grief to Mr. Tappan and other 
friends that unpropitious events prevented the suc¬ 
cess of the paper. Other instrumentalities have 
been happily the means of gaining the attention of 
a considerable portion of the German population to 
the true character of American democracy as theo¬ 
rized and practised by political demagogues. 

Within this period, viz., September 3, 1846, the 
American Missionary Association was formed from 
four associations that had previously existed, in all 
which he took a deep interest. These were the 
“Amistad Committee,” the “Union Missionary 
Society,” the “Western Evangelical Missionary 
Society,” and the “ Committee for the West India 


FUGITIVE SLlVE BILL. 


309 


Missions.” These societies were largely composed 
of members of the anti-slavery societies, and when 
merged in the new association formed an anti-sla¬ 
very body that carried on the work of emancipation 
as well as the work of missions. Mr. Tappan had 
been a member of the “ Union Missionary Society,” 
aud now became chairman of the executive commit¬ 
tee of the “American Missionary Association.” 

The Fugitive Slave Bill, enacted by the Con¬ 
gress of the United States in 1850, and which 
astounded all true patriots and Christians by its 
atrocious provisions, was a source of very great 
grief to Mr. Tappan. He regretted the apostasy of 
the renowned Daniel Webster, the subserviency of 
Millard Fillmore, the time-serving conduct of other 
political men in and out of Congress, but especially 
did he mourn over the inconsistency and folly of 
professing Christians, including a considerable num¬ 
ber of preachers of different denominations, who 
attempted to justify the obnoxious bill from the 
Bible. His regret at such evidences of dereliction 
on the part of ministers and church-members did 
not, however, lead him to abandon the church, defame 
the clergy, or cease to uphold, so far as he could, by 
his constant attendance and means, the institutions 
of the gospel. He hoped and expected that the 
delusion would ere long pass away, and that recre¬ 
ant divines and church-members would regain the 
confidence of consistent Christians and the favor of 
God. 

For himself, he made up his mind, deliberately 


310 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


and in the fear of God, to disobey the requirements 
of the Fugitive Slave Bill.* Clerical expounders of 
Scripture united with politicians in inculcating the 
duty of obeying the law. But he spurned the sla¬ 
vish doctrine. “ I will submit to the penalty, if need 
be, but will not obey.” Such was his feeling and 
his determination, and he would have gone to the 
stake rather than act otherwise. The iron had en¬ 
tered the soul of every intelligent colored person 
throughout the country, and it had by sympathy 
entered the soul of Arthur Tapp an. 

The annual meeting of the American and For¬ 
eign Anti-Slavery Society, May, 1850, was a mem¬ 
orable one. A short time previous, the Fugitive 
Slave Bill had passed both houses of Congress, and 
been approved by President Fillmore, “ a Northern 
man with Southern principles.” And what excited 
the virtuous indignation of the friends of liberty 
beyond all this, Daniel Webster had, in the Senate, 
espoused the cause of the slaveholders in his speech 
in defence of the bill. The influence of Mr. Web¬ 
ster, though his moral sense had been evidently 
ebbing for some time, was so great that a considera¬ 
ble portion of the people, especially the aristocratic 
part, took open ground as supporters of the iniqui¬ 
tous measure. On the other hand, the anti-slavery 

In the days of British oppression, when the Parliament had 
enacted an arbitrary and unconstitutional bill, Mr. Tappan’s ma¬ 
ternal grandfather was one of the Bostonians who refused to call 
it a law, and it was styled the Boston Poet Bill. By that name 
it was universally called by the revolutionary patriots, and by the 
same it will go down on the page of history. 


DANIEL WEBSTER. 


311 


party, now become numerous and powerful, reso¬ 
lutely asserted the unconstitutionality of the bill, 
and their determination to disobey it, “sink or 
swim.” 

Under these circumstances the society held its 
tenth annual meeting, in the Broadway Tabernacle, 
which was entirely filled. Addresses were made by 
William Jay, Samuel Lewis, and Henry Ward 
Beecher, full of patriotic feeling. The correspond¬ 
ing secretary, as usual, presented an abstract of the 
annual report, and read a set of resolutions. When 
he commenced reading the one relating to Mr. Web¬ 
ster, it became evident that there were present many 
“sons of Belial,” who were resolved on making a 
disturbance. The resolution included two verses 
from a trenchant poem by Whittier, entitled “JcAa- 
Z>od.” The whole resolution was as follows : 

Resolved , That Daniel Webster, by his disregard of early 
professions, his treachery to humanity and freedom, and his 
servility to the slave power, has forfeited the respect and 
confidence of his constituents and country. 

“ Of all we loved and honored, naught 
Save power remains— 

A fallen angel’s pride of thought 
Still strong in chains. 

“All else is gone ; from those great eyes 
The soul has fled : 

When faith is lost, when honor dies, 

The man is dead!” 

Amid vociferous noise and interruptions, it took 
some time to read the resolution; but after several 
attempts the reader at length succeeded, and the 
vast audience received it with acclamation. 


312 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


At the next anniversary, held also in the Broad¬ 
way Tabernacle, May 6, 1851, the chair was occu¬ 
pied by Mr. Tappan, the ninety-fourth psalm was 
read by Bev. Dr. Lansing, a fervent prayer was 
offered by Bev. Charles W. Gardner, a colored 
brother of Philadelphia, an abstract of the annual 
report was read by the corresponding secretary, the 
acceptance of which was moved by Bev. Samuel E. 
Cornish. The addresses were by Bev. Henry Ward 
Beecher, Bev. Dr. Willis of Canada, and Bev. C. G. 
Finney. A set of resolutions was read, and enthu¬ 
siastically adopted. 

Mr. Beecher was the principal speaker. At this 
time, and previously, most of the ministers had kept 
away from anti-slavery platforms, especially in the 
large cities. Mr. Beecher, who had recently been 
settled over the Congregational church in Brooklyn, 
N. Y., did not hesitate to throw his influence in favor 
of the anti-slavery question, and thereby gained a 
hold on the affections and respect of the progressive 
portion of the community that he has never lost. 
At this meeting an amusing scene occurred. While 
Mr. Beecher was making his eloquent address, a 
young man in the “ rioters’ corner” of the gallery 
interrupted him with some outburst that excited a 
general laugh. Mr. Beecher asked, “ Where did you 
come from, pray?” The youth exclaimed, “I am 
from up the river.” Mr. Beecher, with ready wit, 
said with a gesture indicating what was in his mind, 
“Sing-Sing?” The laugh and cheers were now 
directed against the young man, who screamed out, 


AID TO FUGITIVE SLAVES. 313 

“No; I am from the South.” The reply was, “I 
thought so.” At this Mr. Beecher was loudly 
cheered, and resumed his speech, while the audience 
were perfectly quiet, except that at a frequent burst 
of eloquence they rapturously applauded. 

Despite of Congressional bills, framed in oppo¬ 
sition to the law of God and the claims of liuman- 
ity, and the arguments offered in some religious 
journals, Mr. Tappan was the early and persevering 
friend and helper of fugitive slaves. He aided them 
with his purse, advice, and sympathy; and when he 
learned that the objects of his benefactions had 
safely reached the Canadian provinces, he did not 
attempt to conceal his exultation. It has even been 
said that he, or one bearing his name, owned a 
horse somewhere near the Susquehannah river, that 
was often mounted by fugitives, while under the 
guidance of the north star and a superintending 
Providence they sped their flight to the land of free¬ 
dom. 

The last public anniversary that Mr. Tappan was 
able to attend, was held at the Broadway Taberna¬ 
cle, May 11, 1853. He presided both at the public 
meeting and the business meeting of the society 
the ensuing day. Rev. A. N. Freeman, pastor of 
the Siloam (colored) Presbyterian church in Brook¬ 
lyn, read selections from the Scriptures and offered 
prayer; and a resolution suited to the times was 
read and adopted. An able and interesting address 
was made by Frederick Douglass. He said in con¬ 
clusion: “It is not in the power of human law to 
14 


314 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


make men entirely forget that the slave is a man. 
The freemen of the North can never be brought to 
look with the same feelings upon a man escaping 
from his claimants as upon a horse running from 
its owner. The slave is a man, and no slave. Now, 
sir, I had more to say on the encouraging aspects of 
the times, but the time fails me. I will only say, in 
conclusion, greater is He that is for us than they 
that are against us; and though labor and peril 
beset the anti-slavery movements, so sure as a God 
of mercy and justice is enthroned above all created 
things, so sure will that cause gloriously triumph.” 
(Great applause.) 

The deeply lamented President Lincoln, in after 
years, had his heart lacerated in view of the recre¬ 
ancy of men of professed religious principles, some 
of them doubtless good but mistaken men, who op¬ 
posed the emancipation of the slaves, and strength¬ 
ened the hands of the oppressor. He who is “ a 
God of knowledge,” and by whom actions are 
weighed, witnessed throughout the anti-slavery con¬ 
test the enormous mistakes and even guilt of minis¬ 
ters of the gospel, elders and deacons of churches, 
officers of ecclesiastical bodies, editors of religious 
newspapers, and leading laymen in the churches and 
on committees of benevolent and religious societies, 
putting themselves in the scales with slaveholders 
to weigh down the poor slaves and their advocates. 

At a cabinet meeting immediately after the bat¬ 
tle of Antietam, and just prior to the issue of the 
September proclamation, says Chief-justice Chase, 


I 


PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 315 

the President remarked: “ I made a solemn vow 
before God, that if General Lee was driven back 
from Pennsylvania, I would crown the result by the 
declaration of freedom to the slaves.” When in¬ 
formed that certain ministers would not vote for his 
reelection to the presidency, he drew forth a pocket 
New Testament, and said, “ These men well know 
that I am for freedom in the territories, freedom 
everywhere, as free as the Constitution and laws 
will permit, and that my opponents are for slavery. 
They know this; and yet, with this book in their 
hands, in the light of which human bondage cannot 
live a moment, they are going to vote against me. I 
do not understand it at all.” 

On the same authority it is stated that President 
Lincoln said with a trembling voice, and his cheek 
wet with tears: “I know there is a God, and that 
he hates injustice and slavery. ... I know that I 
am right, because I know that liberty is right, for 
Christ teaches it, and Christ is God. I have told 
them that a house divided against itself cannot 
stand; and Christ and reason say the same, and they 
will find it so. Douglass didn’t care whether sla¬ 
very was voted up or down; but God cares, and 
humanity cares, and I care, and with God’s help I 
shall not fail. I may not see the end; but it will 
come, and I shall be vindicated; and these men will 
find that they have not used their Bibles right.” 

“ Does it not appear strange,” said President 
Lincoln, “that men can ignore the moral aspect of 
this contest ? A revelation could not make it plainer 


316 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


to me than that slavery or the government must be 
destroyed. The future would be something awful, 
as I look at it, but for this rock on which I stand, 
(alluding to the New Testament which he still held 
in his hand,) especially with a knowledge of how 
these ministers are going to vote. It seems as if 
God had borne with this thing (slavery) until the 
very teachers of religion had come to defend it from 
the Bible, and to claim for it a divine character and 
sanction; and now the cup of iniquity is full, and 
the vials of wrath will be poured out.”* 

It is true that all who thus voted, or threw their 
influence on the side of the oppressor, did not be¬ 
lieve in the divine right of slaveholding; but those 
in the catalogue who did not go to this extent 
threw their weight nevertheless in the scale of 
oppression against freedom. “ He that is not with 
me is against me.” 

° F. B. Carpenter, in the Indianapolis Journal. 


THE AMISTAD COMMITTEE. 


317 


XXL 

The formation of the American Missionary Asso¬ 
ciation, in 1846, has been already alluded to. It 
was at first the ally of the American and Foreign 
Anti-slavery Society, and when events seemed to 
render the active exertions of that society no longer 
necessary, it became its natural successor. Arthur 
Tappan was elected one of the vice-presidents, was 
also a member of the executive committee, contin¬ 
uing in the office to the end of his days. During 
all this time he felt a deep interest in its affairs, and 
contributed to its funds according to his ability! 
He had also participated in the doings of most of 
the associations that preceded it, and which at its 
formation were merged in it. A brief sketch of 
them will not be here inappropriate. 

1. The Amistad Committee. This committee, 
consisting of S. S. Jocelyn, Joshua Leavitt, and 
Lewis Tappan, were appointed at a meeting of 
the friends of liberty, September, 1839, to procure 
legal counsel for the defence of forty or more native 
Africans, who had been seized the preceding month 
by the United States authorities, on a charge of 
piracy and murder on the high seas, and bound 
over for trial at the United States circuit court at 
Hartford, Conn. 

The facts were these: Ruiz and Montez, two 
planters on the island of Cuba, had purchased these 
newly arrived Africans, and were taking them, coast- 


318 


AKTHUK TAPPAN. 


wise, in a Spanish schooner called L’Amistad, to 
their plantations, when Cinque the leader and his 
countrymen rose upon the Spaniards, killed the 
captain and the cook, took possession of the vessel 
and ordered Ruiz & Co. to steer for Africa. In 
the daytime they did so, but at night changed the 
course of the vessel. By-and-by the United States 
coast was reached, and Lieut. Gedney, of the United 
States navy, in command of the brig Washington, 
captured the party, at the east end of Long Island. 
The committee employed counsel, made an appeal 
for funds, and earnestly contended for the freedom 
of the Africans, in the district and circuit courts, for 
nearly two years; and on a final hearing before the 
supreme court of the United States, obtained a 
decree liberating the Africans, notwithstanding the 
efforts made by the Spanish minister, aided by the 
United States authorities, to procure their delivery 
to the Spanish claimants. The counsel for the 
Africans were Messrs. Sedgwick, Staples, Baldwin, 
and the ex-president John Quincy Adams. 

The Africans had been instructed at New Haven 
and Farmington, Conn., and the survivors, on being 
released, were sent to Africa, accompanied by two 
missionaries, with a view to establishing a mission 
near the west coast. The Mendi mission, as it was 
called, was subsequently taken in charge by the 
American Missionary Association, and is still under 
its care. 

2. The Union Missionary Society. This was 
formed at Hartford, Conn., August 18, 1841, by a 


MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 


319 


convention, to consider the subject of Missions to 
Africa, being chiefly people of color, from the states 
of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New 
York, and Pennsylvania, including five of the Ami- 
stad Africans. The Amistad Committee soon after¬ 
wards became merged in this society. 

3. The Western Evangelical Missionary Soci¬ 
ety. This society was formed in 1843, by the West¬ 
ern Reserve Association of Ohio. Its primary object 
was to prosecute missionary operations among the 
western Indians. It proposed to be in correspond¬ 
ence with the Union Missionary Society. The society 
established a mission among the Ojibwa (or Chip¬ 
pewa) Indians in Minnesota Territory, which they 
sustained till 1848, when it was merged in the 
American Missionary Association. 

4. Committee for West India Missions. A mis¬ 
sion was commenced among the emancipated people 
of Jamaica. Five Congregational ministers sailed 
from New York, in the fall of 1839, to join this 
mission, four of them with their wives. They went 
to Jamaica, in the expectation of receiving a plain 
support from the ex-slaves. Being disappointed in 
this, they appealed to the churches in the United 
States for aid. Eleven individuals were appointed 
a committee on behalf of the mission, of whom 
William Jackson, was chairman. The committee 
issued a letter-sheet, from time to time, in which 
were published letters from the missionaries, etc. 
The American Missionary Association being formed, 
the committee accepted a proposition from the exec- 


320 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


utive committee of tlie new society to take charge 
of the mission. 

The origin of the American Missionary Associa¬ 
tion was as follows: Early in 1846, a call was 
issued for a convention of friends of Bible Missions, 
at Syracuse, N. Y. An address prepared by Bev. 
Amos A. Phelps,* of precious memory, was read, in 
which he spoke of the position of the American 
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, with 
regard to slavery, idolatry, polygamy, and caste. 
A committee was appointed to call a more general 
convention to consider the topics above mentioned. 
This convention was held at Albany, September, 
1846. Brethren attended from sis or more states. 
Bev. J. H. Payne of Blinois, presided. Two days 
and one evening were occupied in a free and har¬ 
monious discussion. A constitution of a new soci¬ 
ety was formed, officers were chosen, an able ad¬ 
dress to the Christian public, written by William 
Goodell, was prepared, and the four associations 
already described, were soon after incorporated into 
the new society. Hon. William Jackson of Massa¬ 
chusetts, was elected president, George Whipple 
of Ohio, corresponding secretary, and Lewis Tap- 
pan, treasurer. The executive committee were 
located in the city of New York. The American 
Missionary , a monthly paper, took the place of the 
paper entitled, the Union Missionary , and after¬ 
wards, in addition to the paper, a monthly maga- 

* He died at Roxbury, Mass., July 30, 1847, greatly lamented 
by those who appreciated his character and services. 


OPPOSITION TO PRO-SLAVERYISM. 321 


zine of the same name and contents was issued, and 
both continue to this day.* 

The Araistad Committee , before being merged in 
the American Missionary Association, proposed to 
the American Board for Foreign Missions, to relin¬ 
quish all claim to their partially civilized and Chris¬ 
tianized clients, and the unexpended funds in their 
hands, the privilege of conveying them to their na¬ 
tive shores, and establishing a new mission in west¬ 
ern Africa, to be in their hands, provided assurance 
was given that it should he an anti-slavery mission , but 
the Board, by its secretary, Dr. Anderson, declined 
this overture. It was made in good faith, and as 
the funds had been contributed by persons of anti¬ 
slavery sentiments of all denominations, the com¬ 
mittee felt obligated, from that consideration, as 
well as from principle, to make the tender with that 
condition. 

The duty of seizing such a favorable opportu¬ 
nity to establish a new mission in Africa, appeared 
to be imperative, though the Amistad Committee , 
and the founders of the American Missionary Asso¬ 
ciation who had but little experience in missionary 
affairs, shrank from the responsibility, and would 
gladly have waived all claim to a prosecution of the 
new enterprise, could it have been otherwise effect¬ 
ed on satisfactory terms. As it could not be, they 
undertook the work and the care of the West India 
mission with a reliance upon Divine aid. 

© See Appendix 9, for records of the American Missionary 
Association in view of the decease of Mr. Tappan. 

14* 


322 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


It was not an agreeable tiling for those who 
loved and honored the American Board, to appear 
to be in opposition to it, nor to be arrayed in 
anywise against the American Home Missionary 
Society, the American Tract Society, or any other 
benevolent institution. The American Missionary 
Association sprang into existence as “ a living pro¬ 
test against what was considered the complicity of 
the above societies with slavery.” “ Our American 
Christianity and our American slavery met, on the 
fields occupied by them, face to face, and the for¬ 
mer was vanquished by the latter. The gospel, as 
proclaimed by them did not appear to be a match 
for slavery, and the church, as represented by them, 
seemed to have succumbed under the dreadful pres¬ 
sure of this dominant iniquity.” 

Arthur Tappan, who had contributed so gener¬ 
ously, and labored so earnestly to advance the wel¬ 
fare of these benevolent institutions, was exceed- 
ingly grieved at this reluctance to oppose, in all 
constitutional and legitimate ways, the “accursed 
system of slavery,” to use an expression of William 
Wilberforce. Mr Tappan talked against the com¬ 
plicity, he wrote against it, influenced others to 
remonstrate against it, and frequently made it a 
subject of prayer. 

Some one prevailed on Mr. Tappan to write in 
favor of making or of accepting overtures for a 
union of the missionary bodies. Objections were 
suggested, and in reply, he wrote as follows to the 
compiler: 


MR. TAPPAN’S LETTERS. 


323 


New Haven, Nov. 2,1857. 

Thanking you for taking the trouble to write me at so 
much length, your views respecting the amalgamation of 
the missionary societies, I made the suggestion as one to be 
considered maturely and with much prayer for divine direc¬ 
tion. Providence is hedging up our way by withholding 
from us the cooperation of suitable men to sustain and carry 
forward the enterprise, and we appear to be making no prog¬ 
ress in enlisting the churches in our favor; or in bringing 
them to our views respecting fellowshipping slaveholders and 
slaveholding churches. What can we expect from the al¬ 
most universal church in this country, that, even in the free 
states, grinds the face of the colored people with the denial 
of every or nearly every political and religious, civil and 
social privilege ? Even here, in orthodox Connecticut, they 
are driven to associate in separate churches, separate schools, 
and to lie in separate burying-grounds , and are ignored in all 
their civil rights as citizens, except that of paying taxes to 
support magistrates whom they have no hand in choosing; 
and a poor privilege this ! If there is a better state of feel¬ 
ing towards them in Ohio, it may be better to transfer to 
that state the location of the main society, and have agencies 
at the East. 

I am well pleased with the position given me in the 
Board of the American Missionary Association.* 

In the following letter he speaks out the senti¬ 
ments burning within him, respecting the cruelty 
of caste in our own land, and the backwardness of 
Christians in reproving what the excellent mission¬ 
ary, Perkins justly denominated “Our Country’s 
Sin.” 

New Haven, Nov. 11,1857. 

.... I have seen and conversed with our hearty friend 
Townsend. He thinks there is yet but very little chance of 
our getting any of the ministers here to favor our society. 
His time is entirely engrossed by his bank, but his feelings 
-3 Alluding to his appointment as a Vice-president. 



324 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


are all alive for the slave. I fear there are but few kindred 
spirits here. He says Thompson succeeded here in getting 
access to, and interesting many in this city, and would do 
well again at a proper time. There is now so much distress 
in the large towns as to make it comparatively an unfavor¬ 
able field of effort for getting money, but it is a good time 
to sow the seed for future reaping, as the evenings are long, 
and people have leisure to hear and read. 

I wish we could get some one to write extensively for the 
papers and other periodicals, in a Deacon Giles or Beecher 
style, and with a heart profoundly and vividly alive to the 
great sin of our land, in the free states—I mean the sin 
that pervades not only the world, but the church, the sin of 
prejudice against color, the sin that few professing Christians 
are without, and the odiousness of which in the sight of 
God, will flash upon such Christians, when they shall meet 
their colored brethren at the bar of Christ. If such a writer 
can be found and engaged in the work, I will give one 
hundred dollars towards the expenses incurred, and would 
give much more, if I had it to give. Will you look out 
for the right pen for the purpose ? Whether male or female 
is immaterial. 

It was a constant grief to him that the Ameri¬ 
can Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions 
gave a quasi support to American slavery in several 
respects, and especially by withholding their judg¬ 
ment upon the national transgression, when they 
had, in former years, expressed their disapprobation 
of other moral transgressions. Although he desired 
to be cautious in pronouncing an opinion unfavor¬ 
able to the Christian character of all slaveholders 
he felt that they should not be recognized as 
Christians in good and regular standing while they 
held that relation. 

He maintained also that while slaveholders were 


MISSIONABY ASSOCIATION. 325 

admitted to churches by missionaries in our own 
country, unreproved by Missionary Boards, it would 
be difficult to attain to much success in foreign 
lands, as intelligent men in heathen countries must 
see that slaveholding was contrary to the spirit of 
the Gospel. The following extract from one of his 
letters expresses his views on the subject: 

New Haven, January 15,1858. 

.... I learn from Boston that no new instructions have 
been given to the missionaries of the Choctaw and Chero¬ 
kee missions, who write that ‘no slaveholders are admitted 
to their churches, or have been for a long period, nor have 
any been excommunicated who gave evidence of Christian 
character /’ 

.... I shall not be able to get a public meeting in behalf 
of our society (the American Missionary Association) at 
present, and what is done here must be by private solicita¬ 
tion. If a good agent can be found to canvass this city, I 
will pay his expenses while here. My recommendation, 
with that of others I could get, would effect more than my 
personal applications, for to most I am not personally known, 
and I have not health and time for a thorough work. My 
headache troubles me much. 

The opposition to the American Tract Executive Com¬ 
mittee is working well here, and as the same principle is 
involved, this will help the missionary cause. Their secre¬ 
tary (American Tract Society) will not be admitted to the 
churches, nor is he countenanced by the ministers. 

In the subjoined letter be alluded to tbe remark¬ 
able success of a domestic missionary, in tbe con¬ 
version of a number of persons in Brooklyn, N. Y., a3 
related at a prayer meeting in tbe Plymouth Church. 
It also alludes to the interest he felt in the contro¬ 
versy in the American Tract Society, between those 
who favored the publication of tracts on the sinful- 


326 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


ness of slavery, and those who objected to it. Had 
he visited New York at the time, his old friends 
in the Society would have seen four brothers, all 
friends of the tract cause, and some of them de¬ 
voted and liberal supporters of the Society, stand¬ 
ing up at the public meeting in the church in La¬ 
fayette place, to oppose the action of the Society 
on the slavery question, as they felt bound to do 
by their allegiance to Christ: 

New Haven, May 3, 1858. 

.... Your account of the conversion is very wonderful. 
That “plain man,” the teacher of the Bible-class, must have 

a rare tact for the work. I send you a printed letter 

to the secretaries of the American Tract Society. It is the 
one that was prepared some time since, and in which I 
referred in my letters to you. I have sent about one hun¬ 
dred and fifty of them to individuals, Life Members and 
Life Directors .... and have about the same number pre¬ 
pared with single wrappers and postoffice stamps, for which 
I have failed to get names of good men and true. If you can 
use them, and will write to me immediately , I will send them 
to you by express. 

If you think I can be of service in New York, in prepar¬ 
ing for the conflict with the Tract Society, will you say so, 

and I will put on my harness and go down at once. If 

this separation is effected by the withdrawal of the South, 
we shall soon find these timid abolitionists on the ground 
we now occupy, while we should be shooting ahead. 

Mr. Evarts, secretary of the “American Board 
of Commissioners for Foreign Missions,” had taken 
open and decided ground against the action of the 
state of Georgia, and the Federal government, in 
the removal of the Indians, saying: “We are not 
bound to conceal our opinion; on the contrary, we 




TESTIMONY WANTED. 


327 


are bound to declare it plainly, at least once.” He 
said also, “We do not think we can stand acquitted 
before God, or posterity, unless we bear a testimony 
against this course of proceedings.” Noble words! 
worthy of that enlightened, independent, Christian 
reformer. 

Foreign missionaries had frequently written home 
that caste and slavery, as they existed in this coun¬ 
try, were powerful obstructions to the conversion of 
the heathen. And yet with seeming indifference, 
the Board refused to bear its testimony against 
caste and slavery in their own country, and consid¬ 
ered those members of the Board intermeddlers, 
who persisted in asking that the rule applied to 
the tormentors of the Indians, should be applied to 
the tormentors of Americans called Africans. 

The “American Home Missionary Society,” com¬ 
posed also of wise and good men, as it respected 
most subjects, persevered for a long time, in sus¬ 
taining missionaries in slave states who preached an 
emasculated gospel, without disciplining slavehold¬ 
ers or pronouncing an opinion against slavery. 

The “American Bible Society,” after authori¬ 
zing the publication, on the platform of the “ British 
and Foreign Bible Society,” in London, that all the 
families in the United States who were willing to 
receive a copy of the Scriptures, had been supplied 
with a copy of the Bible, made no decided efforts to 
reach a sixth part of the inhabitants, in the persons 
of the slaves, but on the contrary, seemed to ignore 
their existence. 


328 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


The “American Tract Society,” after issuing 
tracts on the evils of Intemperance, Licentiousness, 
and Sabbath-breaking, and even Dancing, utterly 
refused to bear its testimony against a system that 
included all these practices, with a hundred fold ad¬ 
ditional atrocities. 

The American Board, the oldest, the wealthiest, 
and the most influential of the benevolent societies 
of the country, did not only refrain from giving ex¬ 
pression of hostility to slavery; it seemed to coun¬ 
tenance it in various ways. 

He did not expect or wish to have these societies 
become anti-slavery societies, still he desired, and 
he thought he had good reasons for the desire that 
these, founded in a great measure by New England 
men on gospel principles, and sustained by their 
donations and prayers, should bear a decided tes¬ 
timony against the sin of the country—American 
slavery. He hoped that the influential men con¬ 
nected with these societies, when they saw many of 
their old associates contending against a giant evil, 
would aid the arduous effort by their sympathy 
at least, and bring the powerful influence of these 
societies in like manner to aid the cause of freedom. 

Arthur Tappan had been a liberal supporter of 
these institutions; he had devoted the best years of 
his life and his ample means to sustain them; they 
had enjoyed his cooperation and prayers, and the 
aid of many excellent men who were associated with 
him in the arduous work of opposing human bond¬ 
age. But notwithstanding the reiterated entreaties 


THE AMERICAN MOLOCH. 


329 


and remonstrances of these Christian abolitionists, 
who had been among the original founders and long- 
tried friends of these societies, these institutions re¬ 
mained dumb and paralyzed before the American 
Moloch! 

Mr. Tappan was fully aware of the excuses 
alleged for this silence and apparent apathy. He 
knew also of the violent opposition of a large por¬ 
tion of their friends to the anti-slavery cause, and 
that they said that the abolitionist body was large¬ 
ly composed of irreligious men, some of them of 
infidel sentiments; that their publications were 
couched in harsh language; that the lecturers were 
intemperate in their speeches; that the measures of 
the society set public opinion at defiance. These 
allegations were notoriously untrue, as it regarded 
a major part of the advocates of the anti-slavery 
reform, and with reference to the rest of them were 
much exaggerated. And it is worthy of remark 
that when the division took place, and a portion of 
the abolitionists, under Mr. Tappan’s lead, drew off 
and formed a separate society, endeavoring to adopt 
such language and such measures as Christian men 
could not reasonably object to, those who had been 
loudest in their opposition, and most offended with 
what they termed the unchristian spirit of the abo¬ 
litionists, kept aloof as well from the American and 
Foreign Anti-slavery Society of which Mr. Tappan 
was president, as they did from that of the Ameri¬ 
can Anti-slavery Society of which Mr. Garrison was 
the head. 


330 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


It was said, also, in excuse, that the Scriptures 
nowhere condemned slaveholding in express terms, 
and that the Old Testament particularly authorized 
it, or at least winked at it; that the Constitution 
of the United States guaranteed slavery; and that 
the founders of our government had made a com¬ 
promise with the South that the people of the North, 
for all time, were bound to respect. 

It was in vain that Mr. Tappan and his coadju¬ 
tors, referred to the Constitution of the Anti-slavery 
Society, to its declaration of sentiments of contem¬ 
porary date, to its publications from the beginning 
of the controversy. It was in vain that they assert¬ 
ed the Christian character of a majority of the 
founders and supporters of the society, to the accor¬ 
dance of its principles and measures with the Bible 
and the national constitution; to the obligation 
resting upon Christian men and Christian institu¬ 
tions to take the lead in efforts for moral reform, 
to make continued aggressive movements against 
national as well as individual sins, according to the 
example of Christ and his early followers. 

In May, 1852, an effort was made by the execu¬ 
tive committee of the American and Foreign Anti¬ 
slavery Society to arouse the attention of anti-sla¬ 
very people to the great interests at stake. “An 
address to the Anti-slavery Christians of the United 
States ” was prepared and extensively circulated. 
Politicians by the enactment of the Fugitive Slave- 
bill and other measures hostile to civil liberty, had 
moved the literary, business, and ecclesiastical por- 


ANTI-SLAVERY CHRISTIANS. 331 


tions of tlie community to unusual hostility to the 
progress of the anti-slavery reform. It had been 
artfully promulgated that the reformers were hostile 
to the constitution of the country, and that their 
measures tended to the injury of all classes, and 
the subversion of the government. A large portion 
of the people seemed to be stupefied and hopeless in 
view of the downward career of the nation, the prev¬ 
alence of a pro-slavery sentiment, and the corrupt 
influence of men in power, aided by thousands of 
timid, conservative interested men, in all the vari¬ 
ous professions and ramifications of society. 

It was necessary to alarm and call forth men of 
principle, and induce them to stand up manfully for 
their own rights, and the liberties of the people. 
The objects of the society were frankly and forcibly 
stated, and the friends of righteousness, justice, and 
mercy were besought to enroll their names among 
its members, and to contribute liberally to sustain 
its measures. This address was signed by forty-two 
prominent abolitionists, among whom were the fol¬ 
lowing persons, since deceased: David Thurston, 
Samuel Fessenden, Titus Hutchinson, Samuel Os¬ 
good, John Pierpont, Bancroft Fowler, William Jay, 
John Kankin, Arthur Tappan, C. D. Cleveland, 
Charles Avery, T. B. Hudson, Joshua B. Giddings, 
Charles Durkee. 

It is believed that this effort of Mr. Tappan, and 
the other friends of the cause, did much to awaken 
the sleeping energies of the people, induce them to 
oppose erroneous doctrine, and stimulate them to 


332 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


renewed action on behalf of civil and religions lib¬ 
erty. 

The words of the Earl of Carlisle (Lord Mor¬ 
peth) in his speech at the anniversary of the British 
and Foreign School Society, are pertinent to this 
subject: “ Now I look upon it to be the mission— 
the true, obvious, and permanent mission, both of 
all individual men and of all corporate bodies, to 
wage incessant war against those evils which still 
disturb and desolate our globe. To do so is the 
real vocation of Christian men and the supreme 
glory of Christian churches.” 

These matters are now referred to by way of 
explanation, and for the justification of Mr. Tappan 
in the course pursued by him in the contest he felt 
himself bound to wage against what he considered 
the injurious policy of men of influence and Chris¬ 
tian profession, with many of whom he had labored 
in the cause of religion and philanthropy. He felt 
especially aggrieved at the refusal of the “Amer¬ 
ican Tract Society” to bear its testimony against 
American slavery, and to issue tracts on the sinful¬ 
ness of slaveholding. 

He deemed the excuse offered, that “ our consti¬ 
tution requires us to circulate only publications cal¬ 
culated to receive the approbation of all evangelical 
Christians,” wholly insufficient and evasive. That 
clause he believed, referred to “doctrines,” and not 
to “practices.” All evangelical Christians did not 
accept the sentiments contained in the publications 
of the society on other moral delinquencies, yet the 


THE CUI BONO. 


333 


committee on publications, composed of men of vari¬ 
ous denominations, had concurred in their issues. 
Why, then, thought this old evangelical friend of 
the Tract Society, should it not publish tracts on 
our country’s peculiar sin. He thought the course 
pursued was unworthy of the society, corrupting 
in its influence, and dishonoring to Christianity: 
and it is believed that this will be the judgment of 
posterity. 

Is it asked what are the advantages of bringing 
up at this time, the errors, or even culpable negli¬ 
gences, of institutions that are so dear to the hearts 
of Christians, so beneficial in their general conduct, 
and so worthy of the patronage of the churches? Is 
it not best to let by-gones be by-gones? The an¬ 
swer is, it seems due to the memory of Mr. Tappan 
to present his views of the delinquencies of these 
societies, and his efforts in opposition to the evils 
complained of. No one who knew him can doubt 
the sincerity and strength of his convictions on the 
subject. They continued to the end of his earthly 
career. And any attempt to portray his character 
would be incomplete that did not recognize his feel¬ 
ings and exertions, during successive years, to with¬ 
stand what was evil and injurious, and to strive for 
what was true, and excellent, and imperious, in this 
regard. 

Mr. Tappan did not deny that the officers of the 
American Board and the directors of the other be¬ 
nevolent societies in this country were good men; 
but he conscientiously believed that, in not giving 


334 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


tlieir testimony against slavery, they made a great 
mistake, and when the iniquitous system was abol¬ 
ished the Christian people of the country saw and 
lamented the fatal error. Consideriug the vast 
influence of the Board, he believed that by refrain¬ 
ing from all sanction of slavery, and openly avow¬ 
ing opposition to it, the most beneficial results 
might be expected; that other benevolent socie¬ 
ties would imitate the example; that the eyes of 
the people would be opened to see its atrocities; 
that legislative bodies would be on the side of free¬ 
dom ; that the church would take action in opposi¬ 
tion to the sin; and thus the judgment of God upon 
a guilty nation be averted. 

That such men should have made so grievous a 
mistake was, he thought, a lesson to the church 
that should be deeply pondered, not only for humil¬ 
iation, but for caution. Other evils exist, other con¬ 
flicts are to be waged, and the church will be called 
upon to buckle on its armor, and fight the good fight 
of faith. Chattel slavery is abolished, but the idol¬ 
atry of riches, the anti-Christian feeling of caste, 
and the oppression of the poor still exist. Mam¬ 
mon has many worshippers in the church; and mul¬ 
titudes now, as heretofore, profess godliness, and yet 
“bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and 
lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves 
will not move them with one of their fingers.” 

Should not the church and posterity have the 
benefit of the lesson taught by the delinquency of 
influential men in their individual and associated 


GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES LOST. 335 

positions? And should not the facts in the case 
be put on record that the benefit may be secured to 
those who follow? When an individual in private 
life makes a mistake, or commits a wrong, if he 
repents, we should forgive him, and let it pass into 
oblivion. But is not the case different when the 
mistake occurs on the part of officers of societies in 
their official capacity, and on the part of these soci¬ 
eties themselves ? 

Mr. Tappan, in his remonstrances and censures, 
had in view the good of those who will be the suc¬ 
cessors of the good but erring men, whose conduct 
he could not justify or excuse. He was persuaded 
that as slavery was abolished, men would see more 
clearly the mistakes made by those who had op¬ 
posed the anti-slavery movement. He knew that 
persons at the head of benevolent institutions, like 
men at the head of colleges and other literary and 
ecclesiastical bodies, are always in danger of being 
over-cautious, timid, conservative; and he desired 
to make every suitable allowance for such tenden¬ 
cies, while he did not cease to lament that golden 
opportunities had not been seized to discharge high 
and important duties to the church and to the great 
Head of the church, to the down-trodden and op¬ 
pressed countrymen in chains. 

Mr. Tappan rejoiced that slaveholding had come 
to an end, but he lamented that the spirit of slave¬ 
holding was still abroad in the community, and that 
it existed in the church. The eagerness of men to 
accumulate and hoard money to require services for 


336 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


inadequate compensation, to lord it over tlie depen¬ 
dent and poor, to widen the distance between the 
laboring and affluent portions of the community, 
and to establish unchristian and anti-republican 
aristocracies in society and in the church, were evi¬ 
dences, he thought, that the animus of slavery still 
existed. 

He deprecated the fact that so many compass 
sea and land to make and hoard gain, and that 
members of churches often vie with the ungodly in 
such efforts; that clerks and sewing women were 
paid as little as possible, while their employers were 
getting immensely rich. In view of the common 
assertion that the law of competition created this 
state of things he believed that if rich men felt 
right, they would see to it that all in their employ 
received ample payment for their services; that the 
wages of the employ^ should be somewhat in pro¬ 
portion to the success of the employer, and would 
be, if the slaveholders’ spirit did not still prevail. 

Against this worldly and selfish spirit he thought 
all good men should combine; that especially pro¬ 
fessing Christians, churches, ecclesiastical bodies, 
and benevolent societies should bear an unequivo¬ 
cal and decided testimony until slaveholding, in 
spirit as well as in practice, should cease. To effect 
this, he judged that the mistakes and delinquencies 
of the past should be confessed and repented of, 
and that the remembrance of them should serve as 
beacons for direction and security in time to come. 

Meantime he rejoiced in the termination of the 


THE SLAVEHOLDERS’ SPIRIT. 337 


self-imposed silence of institutions lie ever loved, on 
the slavery question, and which had forfeited his 
confidence by a non-compliance with what he thought 
an obvious, and imperative duty, and which his 
allegiance to Christ forbade him to sanction. He 
thought he saw the dawn of better things, in several 
respects, and it was the language of his lips and his 
heart, Praise the Lord. 


338 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


XXII. 

A meeting of Mr. Tappan’s brothers and sisters 
was held June 1, 1848, in their native town, and 
continued about a week. At some inconvenience, 
owing to distance and other impediments, they had 
resolved to meet for once, at least, to hold affection¬ 
ate converse, and to view the interesting scenes of 
their childhood and youth. Most of them were ac¬ 
companied by their companions. 

Booms were taken at the Mansion House hotel, 
where they had a parlor and a table to themselves. 
Northampton never appeared to better advantage. 
The weather was delightful. All were in good 
health and spirits. Much of the time was spent in¬ 
doors, being occupied in social chat, in reviews of 
individual and family histories, in grateful recollec¬ 
tions. But the weather, the roads, the scenery, the 
views, the fields, the gardens, the rivers, invited to 
explorations abroad, and all felt young again. 

It is true that the village had greatly changed, 
and in some respects evidently for the better; there 
were many new and more tasteful dwellings, an in¬ 
creased number of shops and stores, and more evi¬ 
dences of general thrift. The old meeting-house, 
the court-house, and school-house, had given place 
to more spacious and elegant edifices. Instead of 


A FAMILY MEETING. 


339 


one church that accommodated all the inhabitants, 
there were now five or more, of nearly as many denom¬ 
inations. The inhabitants, now treble in number, 
seemed also much changed. Formerly these broth¬ 
ers and sisters knew everybody, but now, in their 
own native town, they seemed almost among stran¬ 
gers. It was only in the ancient burying-ground, 
where so many familiar names were seen, that they 
really appeared to be at home. 

But the trees were there, especially the venera¬ 
ble and umbrageous elms, the glory of the place ; 
as were the meadows and the mountains, that gave 
such a beauty and magnificence to the town and 
the surrounding country. These unfading scenes 
brought to mind the familiar and appropriate lines 
often repeated in youthful days: 

“Sweet Auburn! loveliest village of the plain, 

Where health and plenty cheered the laboring swain, 
Where smiling spring its earliest visit paid, 

And parting summer’s lingering blooms delayed. 

Dear lovely bower of innocence and ease, 

Seats of my youth, when every sport could please, 

How often have I loitered o’er thy green, 

Where humble happiness endeared each scene! ” 

The brothers and sisters made a visit to the 
graves of their parents and youngest sister. Here 
they mingled their tears and rejoicings, while they 
recounted the various incidents of family history. 
All dwelt, with sincere congratulations and thanks¬ 
givings, upon the characters of their deceased 
parents. The eldest brother made a short address, 


340 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


in which he expressed the thought that the example 
of the parents had influenced their children in at¬ 
tachment to each other during their whole lives. 
At such a place, with such surroundings, with such 
reminiscences, and such anticipations, how natural 
and appropriate the ejaculation: “ Let me die the 
death of the righteous, and let my last end be like 
his!” 

The six brothers took a survey of the old play¬ 
grounds, and the rivers and woods, and thought of 
the times when they bathed, and skated, slid down 
hill, played ball, trundled hoop, and gathered nuts. 
They also visited the old lot and orchard where in 
their boyhood they had “picked apples” and “made 
hay.” While here they thought of the old spring, how 
the water once slaked their thirst, and all expressed 
a desire to taste it again. Once it would have been 
easy enough; “every one could have bowed down 
upon his knees to drink.” In the dilemma the old¬ 
est said to the youngest, as in olden times, “Run and 
get a cup.” It was soon brought, and never did 
pure cold water taste better. 

On the Lord’s day the brothers and sisters re¬ 
paired to the house of worship, some to the old 
Congregational church, where their parents wor¬ 
shipped, and some to the Edwards church, an off¬ 
shoot of the old church. How changed from earlier 
times ! Formerly instead of being seated as now, 
each family in their own slip, the occupants were 
seated by the selectmen. A list was annually pre¬ 
pared by “the fathers of the town,” of all the house- 


OLD CHURCH CUSTOMS. 


341 


holders, single men and women, and youth of both 
sexes, and they were assigned to their places accord¬ 
ing to some rule, suggested by the tax-lists, or the 
social standing of the parties. 

The heads of families were arranged in the old 
square pews on the lower floor; the widows, single 
women, and old bachelors were put here and there, 
wherever there were vacancies; the old people oc¬ 
cupied the pews nearest the pulpit; and the little 
children had seats in the aisles, and on the pulpit 
stairs. The deacons sat together on a seat beneath 
the pulpit, facing the congregation. One of them, 
it is recollected, who was looking forward to be a 
minister, employed the time in taking down the ser¬ 
mon, while another, who was very deaf, stood by 
the minister, with his trumpet at his ear. The seat¬ 
ing did not always give satisfaction. There was 
aristocratic feeling and pride in those days as there 
is at present. Some thought they were not seated 
in the best pews or with people of their choice, and 
the selectmen were accused of favoritism or injus¬ 
tice. Now and then a dissatisfied person would 
stay from meeting awhile until resentment cooled 
off. 

In the gallery the singers filled the first tier of 
seats. All the young people who had good voices 
were expected to sit with the singers. There was 
no quartette or organ in those days, and the bass 
viol, haut-boy, and violin, were relied upon as 
accompaniments. The singing-master, with his 
pitch-pipe, and his /a, sol, la, mi, led off, -while, for - 


342 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


tissimo! the well-drilled choir did their best. It 
was singing never to be forgotten! 

On both sides of the gallery were pews, in which 
the principal young men and young women were 
seated, separately, while the youngsters, and those 
belonging to no particular family, sat on long seats. 
In winter, as the house was not heated by a fur¬ 
nace or stoves, there was usually no little noise 
among the urchins, and some of larger growth, in 
attempts to keep warm by shuffling and stamping, 
while their seniors, in the pews below, kept up 
a slam-bang, at the close of the prayers, it being 
the custom for the whole congregation to stand 
during those services, raise the seats and let them 
fall at the close. 

Foot stoves were often used in winter, and they 
were brought in sleighs, and carried into their 
parents’ pews by the younger members of the fami¬ 
ly. The minister, in extreme weather, would preach 
in his great coat, and sometimes with his hands in 
mittens. Notwithstanding all these peculiarities it 
was a pleasant sight to see the inhabitants of so 
large a town, gathered in one place for public wor¬ 
ship. There were very few absentees in those days, 
and a large portion of the houses were closed during 
public service. 

The town seemed to the brothers and sisters to 
be full of strangers. Formerly, at their separate 
visits to the place, they recognized almost every 
one, and when death had removed parents the chil¬ 
dren were known by family resemblance; but now 


THE SEPARATION. 


343 


the faces of a large proportion of the inhabitants 
were unknown to the brothers and sisters. The 
inquiry was suggested, “Your fathers, where are 
they ? ” A few old acquaintances stopped to shake 
hands after the services were over, and several call¬ 
ed at the hotel to express their satisfaction at seeing 
so many of the family. 

It appeared to the people of the town quite a 
rare sight to see nine children of one family, native 
born, whose ages ranged from sixty to seventy- 
seven, the average being about seventy, whose for¬ 
tunes had been so various, all meeting in health 
and harmony to visit their native place, the scenes 
of their youth, and the graves of their parents. 
And it was exceedingly gratifying to the brothers 
and sisters to take by the hand those who bore the 
names of honored predecessors, and who were not 
unworthy of their ancestry. 

The visit seemed short, but extremely gratify¬ 
ing. Nothing unpleasant occurred to mar the joy¬ 
ful intercourse, excepting an accident to the eldest 
sister that deprived the rest of her society for some 
days. Each day the Scriptures were read, and 
prayer offered. No intoxicating beverages were 
drank, nor was the “filthy weed” used by any one. 
With cordial embraces the brothers and sisters at 
length separated to return to their different families 
and dwellings, thankful for the opportunity with 
which a kind Providence had indulged them of thus 
meeting, and with increased love to each other. 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


“Home of our childhood^ how affection clings 
And hovers round thee with her seraph wings! 
Dearer thy hills, though clad in autumn brown, 
Than fairest summits which the cedars crown! 
Sweeter the fragrance of thy summer breeze, 
Than all Arabia breathes along the seas! 

The stranger’s gale wafts home the exile’s sigh, 
For the heart’s temple is its own blue sky!” 


THE MEKCANTILE AGENCY. 


345 


XXIII. 

In the year 1849, Mr. Tappan purchased a 
moiety of the establishment called the Mercantile 
Agency, an institution that had been founded, as an 
individual enterprise, to obtain and record, for the 
benefit of merchants who patronized it, the stand¬ 
ing of merchants throughout the country, for the 
use of those who might sell to them on credit. 
This business gave him moderate employment, ena¬ 
bled him to support his family, and furnished the 
means of contributing to charitable objects. He 
was successful in the prosecution of this business, 
and the profits enabled him to pay the purchase 
money, and buy an estate on the banks of the 
Passaic river, in New Jersey, where his family 
resided, and from which he came to the city daily. 
The years thus spent were, in many respects, among 
the most pleasant of his life. 

The following extract is from a letter to his 
daughter, Mrs. M-. 

Chestnut Grove, N. J., Jan. 1, 1855. 

“. . . . I wish you a happy new year. My headache of 
the worst type has again recurred, and I am kept at home 

to-day by it. Dr. W- has prescribed some medicine, 

and I have consented, at your mother’s request, to take it, 
though I have but little faith in it. I am determined to let 
the doctor make a few experiments, and to give him all the 
credit if it does me any good. 

I feel that we have much to be grateful for to our Heav¬ 
enly Parent, for giving us such affectionate children and 
15* 



846 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


grandchildren. My earnest prayer is that our happiness, 
begun here, may be consummated in heaven, with our chil¬ 
dren and grandchildren. With much love to all, 

Your affectionate father, 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

He liad contracted to leave the concern of the 
Mercantile Agency at the end of five years, and he 
did so, but not without a vexatious suit with his 
partner, who claimed that he had been paid more 
than his share of the profits. An arbitration was 
agreed upon, which resulted in an award in his 
favor of twelve thousand dollars. In reply to the 
communication made to him of the decision of the 
referees, he wrote to his brother, as follows: 

Your letter of the 22d of November, has been received. 
I am, as you anticipated, disappointed, but as the result is 
hot as good as my hopes , so it is not as bad as my fears. I 
am thankful for what I get, and feel much indebted for it 
to your great effort in my behalf, without which I should 
probably have got nothing. My chief regret arises from my 
diminished ability to contribute to religious and benevoleut 
objects; but I will do what I can, and this I trust will meet 
Divine acceptance, though it will not be equally grateful to 
my feelings. 

After the discontinuance of the co-partnership, 
he continued to reside at Belleville, N. J.; and here 
finding that the care of his garden, of which he was 
very fond, did not give him sufficient occupation, 
he entered into the iron business, in Newark, a few 
miles from his residence, and rode daily to that 
place and back, managing the office business of the 
concern. It proved an unfortunate undertaking. 
An abused, perhaps a misplaced confidence in the 


HE KEMOVES TO NEW HAVEN. 347 


representations that had been made to him resulted 
in the loss of a large sum that went, not to the sup¬ 
port of the business, but to the payment of old 
debts of his partner. He had much trouble and 
vexation in contending against the claims of per¬ 
sons who had obtained the obligations of the firm 
for the individual prior engagements of his associ¬ 
ate in business. 

On closing up the business, he sold his estate in 
New Jersey, and repaired to New Haven, where, 
with property belonging to his wife, he purchased a 
house near his former residence. Here, in society 
congenial to himself and family, after an absence of 
eighteen years, he took up his abode for the re¬ 
mainder of his earthly career. 

He would have been pleased had a wider field 
been opened to him of useful activity, and if he 
had possessed the means to do good as in earlier 
parts of his life. Inaction had always been irksome 
to him, and it was a new experience to be restricted 
in his charities, having realized so long that “it is 
more blessed to give than to receive.” 

In the following extracts from his letters to his 
brother, he alludes to his wife with affectionate 
solicitude: 

Clarendon Springs, Vt., August 7,1857. 

.... My stay here is prolonged by the evident though 
slow improvement of my wife’s health. She has still but 
very little appetite, and I want to see a more radical change 

in this respect. I had an interview with Judge K-of 

this state. I asked him how extensively the clergy of 

this state are of the opinion that slaveholding is a sin per se. 
He replied, “They are, I think, very generally of that sen- 



348 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


timent.” It occurs to me that this makes it important that 
the American Missionary Association should roll up the ball 
in Vermont, then east and south, until the church is thor¬ 
oughly indoctrinated. Now when a revival spirit so exten¬ 
sively prevails in the community, it is a favorable time for 
the effort. If the Vermont Chronicle could be made use of, 
and other good agencies employed, you and I may yet see 
slavery receive its death-blow. 

He occupied himself in reading, correspondence, 
social intercourse, visits to the poor, the distribu¬ 
tion of tracts, daily visits to the reading-room, and 
occasional excursions to other places. The people 
of color were not forgotten by him. With many col¬ 
ored persons he often conversed, affording those in 
want a helping hand. During the war he also 
visited the United States’ soldiers at the encamp¬ 
ment in the south part of the city, and where some 
of them were sick. 

While thus gliding down the stream of life, not 
unmindful of the life to come, he was soon impres¬ 
sively reminded of the lesson often taught to him 
and others, that there is no defence against sick¬ 
ness and bereavement; that this world is not our 
home, or the place of unmixed enjoyment; that, in 
the language of Scripture, we have here “no con¬ 
tinuing city,” but are “strangers and pilgrims on 
the earth.” 

It pleased their heavenly Father to come very 
near to Mr. and Mrs. Tappan, by a bereaving prov¬ 
idence, taking from them and her family, a darling 
child, one in whom their fondest hopes rested, and 
who was the ornament of her home, and the circle 


DEATH OF MBS. SEYMOUR. 349 

and church with which she was connected. Mrs. 
Frances Antill Seymour, wife of John F. Seymour, 
Esq., of Utica, N. Y., died September 5, 1860. 

Her parents were warmly attached to this affec¬ 
tionate daughter, and her fond father was accus¬ 
tomed to call her the “morning star.” She had 
been peculiarly and tenderly beloved by him. Pleas¬ 
ing in person, attractive in her manners and dis¬ 
position, with a heart full of kindness, she was 
greatly beloved by her numerous friends. 

The grandparents had keenly felt the death of 
a sweet and endeared daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Seymour, and this reiterated bereavement pierced 
them to the heart; but the character of the child, 
and the piety of the mother, and above all, the 
firm trust they had in divine Providence, made 
them resigned to the separation for a time from 
those so near and dear to them. 

The following letter of Mrs. Tappan to her 
eldest daughter, then residing in one of the Eastern 
states, evinces her maternal solicitude and tender 
affection, as well as her patriotic sentiments, dur¬ 
ing the national struggle then in progress: 

New Haven, July 22,1861. 

My Dear Daughter : I am sorry you have been disap¬ 
pointed in not seeing your son as soon as you expected. If 
he comes here first, I will try to take good care of him. 
The young folks are expecting fine times this week, I be¬ 
lieve. 

There was a great battle, yesterday, Sunday, between the 
rebels and the government troops. We cannot rely upon 
all that is said, but we pray that the righteous cause may pre- 


350 ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

vail. Bring to mind the honesty, candor, uprightness, 


moral and religious principle of Abkaham Lincoln. 

The knowing ones think the South are perfectly aware, 
that if they cannot destroy the Union, slavery is doomed; 
and so far as we can judge they are in rather a sad predica¬ 
ment. Let us hope for the best, that slavery will be abol¬ 
ished, and the slaves sing for joy. Oh how their friends will 
sing praises to their and our God when the yoke is broken. 
Then the husband can claim and hold his wife, and the wife 
her husband, and the children their own parents. Oh, 
happy, happy day! 

I have lately read for the third time, I think, of the 
emancipation of the slaves in Antigua. How affecting ! In¬ 
stead of carousing and doing all manner of evil on that day 
of days to them, they dressed themselves and went to the 
house of God to pray and praise for the mercy manifested 
towards them. 

You have been told of your brother’s approach to Wash¬ 
ington. I do aim to commend him to the protection and 
tender mercy of our God. My love to my dear grand¬ 
daughter. I am, as ever, your own mother, 

FRANCES TAPPAN. 

Mr. Tappan wrote, July 18, 1861: “My son’s 
wife writes me on the 12th inst. that her husband 
was just starting to join the army at Washington. 
If slavery is to be abolished by the war, I think it 
is to last some years, and that the North as well 
as the South must be humbled by it.” 

They soon heard of the death of their only son 
in one of the Western states, after a lingering ill¬ 
ness. Mrs. Tappan’s health was affected by this 
bereavement, and the various vicissitudes of life, 
though she was sustained by a Christian hope, and 
the sympathies of her family, and the circle of her 
friends. Her husband had ever been warmly at- 





DEATH OF HIS WIFE. 


351 


taclied to lier, and amidst all the scenes of a busy 
life, in prosperity and adversity, in joy and sorrow, 
had been attentive, solicitous, and devoted. It 
might be truly said: “The heart of her husband 
doth safely trust in her.” 

On the twenty-first day of July, 1863, he was 
parted from his beloved companion. She had grad¬ 
ually declined in health, and after acute sufferings, 
was happily released by the messenger of death. 
For fifty-three years they had been in the marriage 
relation, and his attachment to her seemed to in¬ 
crease with increasing years. In a letter written to 
a beloved niece shortly before her dismissal, she 
said: “ I will send you a photograph of your uncle, 
not great, but good; a kinder and more devoted 
husband no woman was ever blessed with; a bride 
could scarcely receive more devotion and tenderness 
than I am daily and hourly receiving.” 

Her remains were consigned to the grave, in the 
family lot of the cemetery, where a headstone was 
placed commemorative of her, a space being left to 
insert the name, etc., of her partner in life, when¬ 
ever it should please God to summon him away. 

The following was published in the Independent, 
September, 1863, said to be written by Mrs. Tap- 
pan’s esteemed friend, Prof. Thacher, of Yale Col¬ 
lege : 

OBITUARY. 

Mrs. Frances Antill Tappan, wife of Arthur Tappan, 
Esq., for many years an eminent merchant in this city, died 
at her home in New Haven, Conn., on the 21st of July last. 
Her grandfather, Edward Antill, Esq., a native of New York, 


352 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


was the son of Edward Antill of Richmond, in the county of 
Surrey, England, who was sent as a bearer of despatches 
from the home government to the New World, and remain¬ 
ing, became a resident of this city. His son Edward mar¬ 
ried the daughter of Governor Morris of New Jersey, and 
resided in Piscataway, in that state, where liis son, Edward, 
the father of Mrs. Tappan, was born in the year 1742. The 
last named Edward Antill was educated at King’s (now 
Columbia) College, where he was graduated in the year 1762. 
He subsequently spent some time in Montreal, Canada, 
where he married a lady of French descent. When the war 
broke out between the colonies and Great Britain, he was 
called to a colonelcy in the revolutionary army, and became 
the intimate associate of some of the most eminent of Wash¬ 
ington’s subordinates in the council and in the field. 

Mrs. Tappan was born May 4, 1785, in Brooklyn, Long 
Island. During the early years of her childhood she was 
brought familiarly into the society in which Washington 
spent much of his time, and was herself the playmate of 
Mrs. Washington’s grandchildren; but after the marriage of 
her sister with Col. Lansing of Albany, she was withdrawn 
to more retired scenes. She was educated in the family of 
this tenderly-loved sister, of whose gentle kindness she 
retained the liveliest recollections to the end of her days. 

When she was visiting some of her relatives in Montreal, 
more than fifty years ago, she became acquainted with Mr. 
Arthur Tappan, whom she soon after married, and returned 
with him to New York. From that time her history of 
course has been that of her husband. She sympathized with 
him in all his love for the oppressed and all his efforts to 
call attention to their degraded condition. Indeed she shed 
tears for the slave long before she became acquainted with 
the man who was for many years honored with the abuse of 
those who thought more of successful trade than of human¬ 
ity. Throughout his years of prosperity she was his loving 
and busy co-worker in acts of varied charity and benevo¬ 
lence. She evinced her love to her divine Master by imita¬ 
ting humbly his life of love to others. Her hand was open 
to the needy, and her door was open to those to whom she 


OBITUARY OF MRS. TAPPAN. 353 


could give a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple. 
She was given to hospitality. 

Nor did adversity work any change in this spirit of gentle 
love. There remained only the sweet graces of a heavenly 
soul, that was permitted still to dwell on the earth, that even 
in weakness it might give strength to those who seemed 
stronger than she. She was the light of the dwelling. She 
was the guide of the household. 

There were years of suffering which she was called to 
endure, and her delicate frame was attenuated and bowed 
under it. But the expression that remains in the memory 
of survivors is the bright though gentle expression of the 
kindliest, sweetest love. Death called away a daughter who, 
had she lived to old age, would only have repeated all that 
was loveliest in the mother, and soon after, it took from her 
an only son ; but though her heart was swelled with sorrow, 
she was still serene—her faith looked up. 

With her final sickness came an entire deliverance from 
the fear of death—nay, she longed for death, saying, “For 
so he giveth his beloved sleep. ” She desired her friends to 
pray that she “might have perfect resignation to the will of 
God.” And amid all her sufferings she found support and 
consolation in those “faithful sayings” of the divine word, 
which from generation to generation ever give strength to 
the souls of God’s saints. The Lord was her Shepherd. 
The Lord was merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and 
plenteous in mercy. She took delight in these assurances, 
and in having them read to her. In the strength of them 
she passed through the valley of the shadow of death, fearing 
no evil. 

It was a great pleasure to Mrs. Tappan to return to New 
Haven, as she did some years since, that she might there 
spend the evening of her life among the friends whom she 
had learned to love, when, in earlier years she had resorted 
thither for the education of her children. Dr. Taylor and 
Prof. Goodrich were there to welcome her return. But age 
and its infirmities, which soon removed them, has now borne 
her away to follow them to a more blessed home, to the com¬ 
pany of the saints and the presence of the Lord, the Lamb. 


354 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


To a niece a few weeks after the death of his 
wife, Mr. Tappan wrote the following reply to her 
letter of condolence: 

New Haven, Sept. 3, ’63. 

My Dear Niece : It was very kind in you to send me so 
sweet an expression of your sympathy in my deep affliction. 
It is hard parting with those we love after a brief acquaint¬ 
ance, but how much more so when our affection for them has 
been cemented by the most tender and sacred intercourse of 
over fifty years. I feel that the separation will be brief, and 
I have much to be thankful for in having loving children 
with me to share my grief and administer to my comfort. 

We have just had a short, but very pleasant visit from 
your parents on their return home in, as they thought, im¬ 
proved health. I would gladly have detained them longer, 
but could not. 

Your religious reflections are very precious and find a 
response in my own experience. “The Lord is indeed 
good, and his tender mercies are over all his works,” as I 
know by precious experience. Praying that you may have 
largely a similar experience, I am, very affectionately, your 
uncle, 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

The following is from a letter dated 

New Haven, Oct. 14, ’63. 

Dear Brother : I have received a letter from Mr. Whip¬ 
ple wishing me to preside at the annual meeting at Hopkin- 
ton, Mass., and I have replied to him that my family is so 
situated as to make it difficult for me to leave home, were 
I otherwise disposed. . . . Your affectionate 

ARTHUR. 

He attended the meeting and presided during 
part of the proceedings, but it was evident that he 
was much enfeebled. 


RELIGIOUS READING. 


355 


XXIV. 

Soon after his return to New Haven, to spend 
the remainder of his days, he united with the Centre 
Congregational church in that city, then under the 
pastoral care of Eev. Leonabd Bacon, D. D., and 
had much satisfaction in attending the regular week¬ 
day religious meetings, in that parish, as his health 
permitted. He also greatly prized the friendship 
and pastoral attention of Dr. Bacon. In former 
times he had differed from him on the colonization 
and anti-slavery questions, but he was not a man to 
break the chain of friendship in consequence of dif¬ 
ferences of opinion. He flattered himself also that 
the views of his pastor were, in the course of events, 
more and more assimulated to those he had long 
cherished. 

He also took much delight in religious reading, 
especially in daily “searching the Scriptures.” He 
felt that his health was gradually giving way, that 
it became him to be watchful and prayerful in view 
of the transition that awaited him, and he kept in 
remembrance the words of Moses the man of God: 
“ The days of our years are threescore and ten; and 
if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet 
is there strength, labor, and sorrow; for it is soon cut 
off, and we fly away.” Although he felt diffident 
about his Christian state, and thought much of his 


356 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


shortcomings, yet he Jiad a firm reliance upon the 
mercy of God through the atoning sacrifice of the 
Lord Jesus Christ. He was not afraid to die. The 
death of his beloved companion of half a century, 
had lessened his desire to live, while his infirmities 
were loosening his hold on life. He felt that he had 
no claim to heaven on account of any services he 
had rendered either to God or his fellow-men. His 
self-abnegation in the sight of God was remarkable, 
and no one ever listened to his prayers without 
being impressed with the belief that he who offered 
them was exceedingly humble before his Maker. If 
asked about his hope of salvation, he might have 
said, as is reported of the aged Rev. Dr. Emmons, 
“ I see nothing in my life that merits eternal bless¬ 
edness, and I often think I may after all, be a cast¬ 
away.” Perceiving the astonishment depicted in 
the countenance of his friend, the interrogator, he 
beckoned him back as unwilling that he should go 
away under a wrong impression, and feebly said: 
“ If I knew another man who was just like myself, I 
should have much hope of him!” 

Several letters of a miscellaneous character, to 
his brother in New York, will now be inserted, ac¬ 
cording to their dates: 

New Ha yen, May 15,1857. 

.... I see by the paper that you were not present at the 
Abolition public-meeting, and fear you are still unwell. As 
I have not much to do here, if I can aid you at the mission¬ 
ary rooms or otherwise, let me know, and I will cheerfully 
do so. 


HIS LETTERS. 


357 


New Haven, Oct. 20,1857. 

I have been accused of making a speech in public, but it 
is not quite true, the occasion was the visit to this city of 
about 700 East Hamptoners, mostly my friend Williston’s 
employes, who was also present. They came in twelve cars 
on an excursion, and after they had been welcomed by the 
mayor and one or two others, I was urged to say something, 
which I did briefly. I suppose my name was put into the 
newspaper from a false notion that it would add something 
to the effect, and not because I said anything to any pur¬ 
pose. I shall probably never be so (mis)represented again. 

New Haven, March 12, 1859. 

I have yours of the 11th inst., and learn from it, for the 
first time, that you have been unwell. Why have you allowed 
mo to be kept in ignorance of that which so nearly concerns 
my happiness ? and why have you not taken me at my word 
and sent for me to aid you at the missionary rooms ? You 
do not now say how well you are, and whether you are able 
to be out. If you are still confined at home, do let me know, 
and come to your assistance. 

He had a due appreciation of the talents and 
fearlessness of the distinguished minister mentioned 
in the annexed note, nor did he much heed the ac¬ 
cusation of his enemies, as they were ready to ex¬ 
claim: “Thou art beside thyself; much learning 
doth make thee mad.” 

New Haven, Nov. 28,1859. 

.... Dr. Cheever’s sermon in Friday's Tribune, is a cap¬ 
ital one, and will I think do great good. I wish it may be 
read by every doughface professing Christian in our land. 

New Haven, January 12,1861. 

. . . Rev. H. T. C-writes me that there will be a con¬ 

vention of the Christian friends of the church Anti-slavery 
Society soon in New York, and asks for a communication 
from me to be read upon the occasion. Has this measure your 


358 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


approbation? Regarding, as I do, the present agitation in 
our country as the answer of God to the prayers of the 
friends of the slave for their deliverance, I think our policy 
should be to stand still and wait for His manifestations 
before we make any further movement. The anti-slavery 
cause is evidently gaining ground with politicians in the 
free states, and they are doing a good work for us at Wash¬ 
ington. I fear that anything we may do now will excite 
their fear of being identified with us and slacken their zeal. 
I therefore hope that the proposed convention will be post¬ 
poned. 

In February, 1861, lie writes as follows: 

I regret to see the falling off of receipts from the Ameri¬ 
can Missionary Association. The prospect of the curtail¬ 
ment of receipts from-obliges me to husband my means, 

or I would send you more. As it is I can hardly restrain my 
inclination to do so, and feel that I am wanting in faith in 
the kind providence that has hitherto so bountifully pro¬ 
vided for me and mine. If there is suffering with our mis¬ 
sionaries for the money due them, I think it should be so 
stated in the American Missionary, and for one I will respond 
to it if I have to give my last dollar ; for this is a debt that 
ought to be paid, if it takes the last cent from those who sent 
them forth. 

Again he says: 

I see by the last American Missionary that the society is 
doing at St. Louis among the colored people similar labor 
to that of the Christian Commission among our wounded 
soldiers. We have recently had a public meeting here of the 
Christian Commission, and nothing has so much moved the 
sympathies of our active Christians. 

The hope of being instrumental in saving the souls of 
those who are periling their lives for our country is calcula¬ 
ted to draw liberal contributions from those who appreciate 
the value of the soul, if any thing can, and nothing will give 
so much credit to our society as the fact that we are doing a 
similar or rather the same work among the colored soldiers. 


MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. 


359 . 


New Haven, April 26,1861. 

.... I regret to learn that the receipts of the American 
Missionary Association are so small. Is there not a large 
amount of bequests not yet used ? particularly of that at 
Pittsburgh ? I fear others as well as myself are so impressed, 
if it is not so, and that your receipts are affected by it. Would 
it not be well to publish an explanation for the satisfaction 
of the friends of the association ? In consequence of our 
national difficulties, my receipts are cut off entirely for the 
time being, and till peace dawns upon us, I have got to hus¬ 
band what I have and deny myself the great pleasure of giv¬ 
ing freely. . . . 

I fear we shall have a protracted war, and it is difficult to 
predict what the result will be. If there were a thorough 
anti-slavery feeling pervading the free states, I would hope 
that the slave states might be conquered and the slave be set 
free, but we are yet too pro-slavery for this, and I fear are to 
share more deeply, for our share in the national sin, the just 
judgments of heaven. 

.... You have I suppose seen the statement that Gen. 
Butler offered to recapture some runaway slaves in Maryland. 
Enclosed is the expression of the righteous indignation of 
our friend Townsend at such heartless treachery to liberty. 
I can hardly believe it true, and hope to see it contradicted. 

I would have made the journey to New York to have wit¬ 
nessed the humiliation of the Journal of Commerce. I learn 
that the editor told a New Haven gentleman that it was a 
bitter pill. 

He took a warm interest in the movements of 
the “American Missionary Association” with refer¬ 
ence to the freedmen. Its appeals for funds for the 
establishment of schools among them, for the build¬ 
ing of school-houses, the employment of teachers, 
and the success attending such appeals and outlays, 
contributed much to his enjoyment during his last 
days. He contributed according to his ability for 


360 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


the promotion of the object; also to the “Sanitary 
Commission,” and the “ Christian Commission ” the 
objects of which were precious in his estimation. 
His interest in these benevolent enterprises and in 
all matters connected with the terrible conflict in 
which the nation was involved, were apparent in his 
conversation, letters, and prayers. 

New Haven, May 20,1861. 

I thank you for your long letter of the 13th, and the offi¬ 
cial document, which I now return. I am glad it was sent 
to Butler, though from his reply, he seems to be justified. 

I am much taken with the suggestion of our Mendi mis¬ 
sionaries to have an establishment at Sherbro Island to pro¬ 
mote the cultivation of cotton in that part of Africa. What 
do your committee think of it ? Why not have a company 
formed at once for the purpose, with a sufficient capital to 
carry it out ? Let colored men be interested, and as they 
become qualified, take the whole management and owner¬ 
ship if they choose. It would I think, aid very much in 
promoting civilization and might be a source of great profit 
to those engaged in it. There should be a good store opened 
there and a vessel or vessels to send the cotton to market— 
owned by the concern. I would engage in the undertaking 
myself if younger, and even now, if better men cannot be 
found for it. Let me know what you think of it. I hope 
the South will insist on “their rights” till slavery is abolished. 
It is our only hope of getting rid of slavery. There can be 
no permanent peace till slavery is abolished. Dr. Tyng 
acts nobly. 


New Haven, June 26,1861. 

I am glad you are now so well accommodated as to the 
office. I wish I had a few thousands to help you to keep the 
wheels in motion. “The Lord reigns, and his ways are not 
as our ways.” It may be the time for us to stand and be¬ 
hold the wonderful workings of His providence. 


REFLECTIONS ON DEATH. 


861 


New Haven, Oct. 31,1861. 

.... We were much gratified with our attendance at the 
anniversary, and think it was admirably managed and sus¬ 
tained in all its parts. I hope soon to see it photographed in 
print, and doubt not it will do the society much good, if well 
presented. If the whole church could have been present to 
hear the speeches it would have been advanced a whole gen¬ 
eration in its progress millennium-ward. 

New Haven, Aug. 1, 1862. 

.... I am sorry you are a sufferer from headache. This 
is an old complaint of mine, and I have rarely a day’s free¬ 
dom from it, and yet have never allowed it to debar me from 
the duties of life, though it has often curtailed its pleasures. 

New Haven, Jan. 31,1863. 

I acquiesce in your wish in respect to the donation in 
your hands, but would prefer not to have the recipient know 
whence it comes. Should the war last over a year or two 
longer, I have the prospect of having my ability to contrib¬ 
ute to objects of benevolence much abridged, as my future 
resources are chiefly in Virginia, where it will I suppose be 
difficult to operate while the war lasts. 

April 18,1863. 

Death is fast weakening our ties to this world and admon¬ 
ishing us that the time of our departure also is at hand. Let 
us, my dear brother, keep our lamps trimmed and burning, 
while we do with our might whatever our hands find to do 
in advancing the cause of righteousness on the earth. 

FROM A LETTER TO HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER. 

New Haven, Oct. 3,1863. 

You have brought me so much in your debt by your two 
long and valued letters that I despair of extricating myself, 
but I know you will value tidings from the paternal roof even 
though brief and otherwise not very interesting.. . . Let us, 
my dear daughter, look to our heavenly Father for a contin¬ 
uance of the kind care we have hitherto experienced, and 
with grateful hearts submit without repining to the trials of 
life, and may they serve to weaken our hold on time and 
ripen us for the enjoyments of heaven. With much love to 

F-and L-. vour affectionate father, 

ARTHUR TAPP AN. 


16 


362 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


XXV. 


He loved to resort to the cemetery, where reposes 
the dust of so many of his valued friends, and the 
friends of God and man. Especially was he drawn to 
the grave of his beloved wife, the centre of his earthly 
affections while sojourning in this vale of tears, and 
the object of his meditations in the bright world to 
which he had so good reason to believe she had 
departed. He would ruminate also upon the place 
by her side, where he expected soon to rest. This 
was not, however, a gloomy reflection, for he knew 
in whom he believed, and anticipated with some 
satisfaction the time when he should be united to 
his wife, his departed children, his parents, the 
friends with whom he had been associated in be¬ 
nevolent enterprises, those for whom he had labored 
so much, and “to the general assembly and church 
of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and 
to God the Judge of all, and the spirits of just men 
made perfect; and to Jesus the Mediator of the 
new covenant.” 

He loved his surviving children and grand-chil¬ 
dren, and other relations; he took much interest in 
passing events, and especially in the great conflict in 
which the country was involved. On the triumph 
of our forces depended the liberties of the slave, 
and the welfare of the nation. He looked forward 


RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE. 


363 


with confident expectation, to the time when the 
Southern Confederacy would be broken up, the en¬ 
slaved set free, and the triumph of free institutions 
complete and glorious. His confidence was founded, 
not so much in the prowess of our arms, splendid as 
they were, as in the righteousness of our cause, and 
the promises of the Almighty. He knew full well 
that the North had been wickedly in a political 
league with the South in oppressing the man of 
color, and by its connivances, apologies, state and 
national enactments, its preaching, its literature, its 
fellowship with slaveholders, in church and state, 
and in benevolent and ecclesiastical associations 
without rebuke. 

He believed that the free states were guilty, in 
the sight of heaven and earth, for their alliance with 
the slave states in political and religious affiliations, 
and deserved the punishment inflicted upon them in 
the loss of life and treasure. He believed also that 
God, in his retributive justice, had brought desola¬ 
tion and destruction upon the South for its flagitious 
cruelty to the colored man. Still, he anticipated 
that order would be brought out of confusion, that 
liberation would be given to the slave, and that 
peace and prosperity would revisit the land, in ful¬ 
filment of the prediction: “ Surely the wrath of man 
shall praise thee; and the remainder of wrath shalt 
thou restrain.” 

The following letters, addressed to his eldest 
daughter, who then resided in a distant state, evince 
the deep interest he took in her welfare, and that 


364 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


of her fatherless children. They are inserted with¬ 
out abridgment, as a specimen of the affection he 
manifested towards them in their trials, as well as 
the pleasant retrospect he took of the scenes of his 
earlier life: 

New Haven, October 9,1863. 

I have acknowledged your last letter to me, but I fear I 
failed to express sufficiently how much pleasure your letters 
give me. I assure you I prize them highly, and shall be 
glad to have them often, and only regret that I am able to 
make you no better return in the same way. You must find 
your happiness increased by having your sister with you. I 
hope you may both derive great benefit from the waters, as 
I doubt not you will from the pleasant company usually met 
with at Saratoga. 

I have spent much pleasant time there, with your mother, 
in days gone by, and have witnessed a wonderful improve¬ 
ment in her health in a short time. Once I took her there 
and to Lake George, when so feeble that she was scarcely 
able to sit on a horse. At first, I got her on a gentle one, 
and only walked him a short distance, increasing the distance 
and the quality of the animal each day. The second week we 
went on horseback to Lake George, being two days on the 
way. There we spent another week, riding, and sailing on 
that beautiful lake, and then her health was so much better, 
that we rode the eighteen miles to Saratoga without alight¬ 
ing, and the next day left for home, her health being quite 

restored. I hope you and dear K-may be equally favored, 

as your mother was, in the attainment of the blessing of 
health, without which all other temporal blessings seem of 
little value. 

E-is now my housekeeper, and we get along very 

pleasantly. I am sorry you have cause for so much anxiety 

on W-’s account, and rejoice with you that he has in 

Alfred E-’s family such kind friends near him. 

With much love to yourself, Fanny, Lizzy, and to dear 
Catharine, Your father, 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


LETTEES TO HIS DAUGHTEE. 365 


New Haven, Oct. 27,1863. 

I must write you a few lines to thank you for your long 
and good letter of the 22d. I am glad to learn that your 
health continues to improve, and that you have the prospect 
of a comfortable winter with your dear children in the Amer¬ 
ican Babylon. Last week I was from home about four days, 
attending the anniversary of the American Missionary Asso¬ 
ciation at Hopkinton, Mass. We had a very interesting meet¬ 
ing. As I was within twenty or thirty miles of Boston, I was 
strongly inclined to accompany brother Lewis and his wife 
there, and make a short visit to brothers John and Charles, 
but was deterred by regard to Eliza’s loneliness at home. 

I think you have the promise of a very happy winter, and 
I rejoice at it, and I hope that your spiritual blessings will 
be also greatly multiplied. 

I rejoice to learn from you that K- appears to be 

pretty well, and is likely to return home with improved health. 
You must have had a very pleasant time together. 

E- and I get along very pleasantly. She takes to 

housekeeping with a zest, and everything goes on well. I 

was absent when F-’s birthday anniversary occurred, but 

learn she had a little party to celebrate it, H-being the 

beau in general. 

I feel that we have all great cause for gratitude to our 
Heavenly Parent for his unnumbered blessings, and I am 
truly thankful to him that so many of my dear children and 
grandchildren have hearts to appreciate his goodness. Oh, 
how much it would add to my happiness to be able to feel 
that all of them were in good earnest, seeking the salvation 
of their souls. 

With much love to K-and to F-and L-, 

Your affectionate father, 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

New Haven, Dec. 9,1863. 

You remind me through E- that I am in your debt. 

Now as I love to be “ in debt ” to my children when I think 
they love me, you furnish me with a reason for not writing. 
But I will not take advantage from it, and would gladly fill a 
sheet if I had topics that would interest you. You must 



366 


AETHUB TAPPAN. 


remember that you are in the London of our country, where 
every great interest centres, and the air teems with news from 
the four quarters of the world. 

My life is a very quiet one. Home is precious to me, for 
here every thing reminds me of the dear departed, whose 
image is ever present to me. E-is ever busy in endeav¬ 

oring to make home pleasant, and succeeds -very well. I 
enjoy reading, and have just finished Irving’s Washington, 
four volumes large octavo, borrowed of our kind neighbor 
Goodrich. I have read it now for the first time, and with 
great interest. It is written in a style worthy of the theme, 
and has much that was new to me. I hope to have much 
interesting reading from our neighbor, who kindly offers his 
books to us. Continue, my dear C-, to enliven my lone¬ 

liness by telling me all that interests you, and do not delay 
writing because I am in your debt, for I love to be so to my 
dear children. 

My rheumatism is somewhat abated. I walk with perfect 
ease, and rest well at night. My appetite is good, and I am 
very well except the pain in my spine and hips when sitting 
or stooping. 

With much love to each one, your father, 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

The following were addressed to his brother, the 
compiler: 

New Haven, Dec, 22,1863. 

It is a great satisfaction to me, and must also be to all who 
have been your and my co-workers for the slave, to see the 
change that is going on. I have felt from the beginning of 
the war that God had taken our cause in hand, and would 
work it out in his own time and manner. We may stand still 
and witness his glorious manifestations. 

In the following letter he refers to some extracts 
from the Scriptures received from an elder brother, 
and to the reply of the celebrated Dr. Abernethy of 
London to a person who had applied to him to know 
if he could cure the rheumatism: 


LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER. 


367 


New Haven, July 25,1864. 

.... I want them or a copy in my portfolio, to be a con¬ 
stant monitor and quickener in my pilgrimage. I retain no 
copy, and will thank you for one, or the original. . . . 

I am satisfied you are correct, that there is no cure for the 
rheumatism but “patience and flannel.” I have tried, I 
believe, every other prescribed remedy, and am no better, 
and now look for relief only from warm weather. As an 
aggravation, I have the cramp in one of my legs most of the 
night, and find no effectual remedy. Can you tell me of 
one ? I am thankful my health was spared to me while my 
dear wife was with me. A kind Providence so ordered it, 
and is now, I think, preparing me to follow her. 

Ever vigilant to notice and condemn 

“The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,” 
lie wrote tlie annexed letter to the same, to call 
attention to the report of a glaring instance of vil- 
lany perpetrated upon a friend of the slave in a dis¬ 
tant state, published in the New York Tribune: 

New Haven, July 22, 1864. 

You have or will doubtless read the account in to-day’s 
Tribune. I think that this and similar developments of the 
fiendish character of slavery should at this time be spread 
broadcast over the free states. We are in danger of having 
a peace with the South which will leave the hydra-headed 
monster alive again to curse our country. My object in 
writing to you now is to inquire what you and I can do tow¬ 
ards averting so great a calamity. No time is to be lost. 
Will you give it your immediate attention, that we may, if 
possible, avert the evil, and have the satisfaction to reflect 
that we have done our duty ? If money is wanted, I will do 
what I can, and try to influence others. Do you know, and 
if not, will you ascertain how Mr. F-is situated pecuni¬ 

arily ? The hearts of thousands will be open to secure him 
the comforts he has' been so long deprived of. Give me his 
residence if you can. 


368 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


Work was his element; not that he loved it for 
the emolument it often brings, but for its own sake, 
“ the labor itself being a pleasure,” and because he 
could aid others in their chosen employments. In 
the American Missionary Association he felt a pecu¬ 
liar interest. It had his pecuniary offerings to as 
great an extent as his means afforded, and it had 
his best wishes, amd above all else, his prayers. He 
desired to contribute in addition his personal labors 
in furtherance of its objects. His ambition was not 
to occupy a position, but to contribute substantial 
help, and he would therefore have been willing, if 
the opportunity occurred, to fill any station, how¬ 
ever subordinate, that would give him plenty of 
work in a good cause. Surrounded as he was in his 
chosen retreat with an affectionate family, and with 
cultivated and refined society, he often felt, not 
ennui, but dissatisfaction that he could labor so lit¬ 
tle in the cause of reforms. He seemed to think 
slightly of past labors, and panted, as it were, to 
engage in new moral conflicts, forgetting that his 
powers of body and mind were enfeebled by ad¬ 
vanced life. 

He was continually watching for opportunities to 
help the officers of the association, whenever they 
were providentially absent from the missionary 
rooms, or disabled by illness. We have had evi¬ 
dence of this in his frequent letters to the treasurer, 
and he gave many other proofs of his desire to be 
useful in a cause he loved so well. Besides, he 
knew that exercising his faculties strengthened them. 


LETTER FROM FORMER CLERKS. 369 


Tins year several of his former clerks addressed 
a letter to him that gave him much gratification : 

New Yoke, Thanksgiving Day, Nov, 24,1864. 

To Arthur Tapp an, Esq, : 

Venerable Friend : The question of the abolition of 
slavery, we think, has been virtually decided in the recent 
presidential election, and the cause of justice has triumphed. 
Slavery on this continent is to die. We who subscribe to 
this letter were formerly clerks in your employment, and we 
beg leave to offer you our hearty congratulations. 

We bear witness to your fidelity to the great cause of 
human freedom, years ago, when it cost much to be faithful. 
You put reputation, time, talents, money, all you had at stake 
for this cause. Your store was mobbed, and attempts were 
made to injure your business; your former friends forsook 
you ; but you did not flinch. 

Your heroic example deeply impressed the minds of the 
young men by whom you were surrounded, the most of whom 
have emulated your example, and now remain faithful to the 
good cause. 

Now, in the evening of your days, you behold almost 
accomplished the liberation of the slaves; and we sincerely 
trust that the kind Providence which has watched over you 
hitherto may grant in his mercy, that when your eyes close 
on the scene of your labor in this world, you may have the 
joy to know that not one slave remains to be freed on the 
American continent, and when you open them in that better 
and brighter world you may receive the plaudit of, “Well 
done, good and faithful servant.” 

SETH B. HUNT, THEODORE M’NAMEE, 

HENRY C. BOWEN, REUBEN TOWNE, 

W. E. WHITING, WALTER P, DOE, 

ANTHONY LANE, EDWIN WILLCOX, 
CHARLES DURFEE, HEZEKIAH D. SHARPE. 

He made the following reply: 

New Haven, Dec, 5,1864. 

Seth B. Hunt, Esq. 

Dear Sir : I have the communication from yourself and 
other esteemed friends, whom I recognize as once in my 

16 * 


370 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


employ, and for whom I entertain a lively regard. Thanks 
to a kind Providence, my warfare against slavery was unmin¬ 
gled with self-interest, and that I have a prospect, although 
in my seventy-ninth year, of living to see the hydra-headed 
monster expelled from our beloved country. 

From the tenor of the paper you have sent me, I am led 
to infer that all the signers sympathize with me in the hope 
of a blessed eternity. This adds in my estimation greatly to 
its value. I shall be happy to renew my acquaintance, should 
Providence at any time throw either yourself or the other 
signers in my way. 

Please let the other signers read this, and to each I send 
my kind regards. 

Very truly yours, 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

Mr. Theodore D. Weld, some time before Mr. 
Tappan’s decease, returned several letters he had 
in past years received from him; and in an accom¬ 
panying note to one of his daughters expressed a 
wish that a memoir might be written of his life. In 
his letter Mr. Weld says: 

You may well say of your father that his life will speak 
for him. It has and does, and ever will. Such integrity, 
conscientious fidelity, and true independence; such simple, 
unwavering directness in duty; such sincerity, exact truth, 
absence of all self-seeking; a benevolence most prodigal in 
its outlay, yet wholly unostentatious; a moral courage that 
withheld no jot of utterance or action through fear of oblo¬ 
quy, and yet ever quiet and undefiant; with a sense of jus¬ 
tice so quick and intense, that it seemed equally a principle 
and a passion. 

The preeminent traits of your father’s character so im¬ 
pressed me during the years of our mutual cooperation, that 
I have ever since felt as though the world would be robbed 
of its own, if not furnished with a record of his life by some 
one who knew him best and can adequately appreciate his 
worth. 



EARLY ABOLITIONISTS. 


371 


XXVI. 

The war, its causes, and its probable results 
occupied much of his thoughts. He was fond of 
peace, and much as he hated slavery he had never 
desired that the slaves should gain their freedom by 
the effusion of blood. The Anti-Slavery Society, at 
its formation, in 1833, inserted in its constitution a 
clause to this effect: “ But this society will never, in 
any way, countenance the oppressed in vindicating 
their rights by resorting to physical force.” 

Its founders were men of peace, and they be¬ 
lieved in the potency of moral suasion, relying also 
upon both the promises and warnings of the Al¬ 
mighty Ruler of nations. They believed that preju¬ 
dice would wear away; that the beneficial workings 
of emancipation in the West Indies would open the 
eyes of our slaveholders to see the unprofitableness 
of slave compared with free labor; that Congress 
would ere long abolish slavery in the District of 
Columbia; that as slavery was rapidly disappearing 
under other governments, their example would influ¬ 
ence our own to carry out the evident expectations 
of the founders of our government; and that self- 
interest, wiser counsels, political considerations, and 
other motives would ere long lead to the abolition 
of American slavery. 

There were sagacious men, among the theoretical 
and practical abolitionists who thought differently. 


372 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


The former, in view of the character of Southern 
men, and the diffusion of intelligence among the 
slaves, thought, if they did not desire it, that 
“powder and ball” were the only arguments that 
would be effectual with the slaveocrats of the South¬ 
ern states. The latter included those who, while 
acknowledging the influence of moral suasion, be¬ 
lieved that the retributive justice of God required 
the condign punishment of slaveholders. They 
reasoned thus: The Almighty has never permitted 
nations to trample upon the rights of mankind with¬ 
out inflicting upon them severe chastisements. Both 
sacred and profane history bear evidence of this. 
Now, as nations are punished in this world for their 
evil doings, while men in their individual character 
are judged in the future, it is certain that a nation 
persisting in transgression will meet with Divine 
chastisement. This being the case the vials of 
God’s wrath will surely be poured out upon a people 
like slaveholding America. 

Among the wise and good men who embraced 
the anti-slavery doctrines, and believed in the duty 
of moral suasion while they expected the judgment 
of God upon our guilty nation, was Bev. Dr. John 
Black of Pennsylvania. In answer to the question 
put to him, thirty years or more, since, “ What will 
be the result of slaveholding in the United States?” 
he unhesitatingly replied, “I believe that it will end 
in blood; God’s retributive justice seems to require 
it.” But probably neither Thomas Jefferson nor 
John Black ever imagined that the North would 


LUTHER AND MELANCTHON. 373 


suffer equally with the South in the overthrow of 
slavery. The late war had not been long waged, 
however, before abolitionists generally, Christian 
and unchristian, recognized the arm of Divine Jus¬ 
tice wielding the avenging sword for the punishment 
of a nation, North and South, that had so long, 
as slaveholders, or the abettors of slaveholding, 
trampled upon human rights, defying the arrows of 
the Almighty. 

The early abolitionists, including the founders of 
the Republic and those who established the more 
recent anti-slavery societies, believed that argument 
and persuasion, and the progress of peaceful events, 
would lead to the discontinuance of human bondage 
in this land. Like Melancthon, who, when a young 
man, had such confidence in the power of truth, that 
he exultantly said to his elder and more experienced 
brother, Martin Luther, “Let me go abroad, pro¬ 
claiming the glorious doctrine of the Reformation, 
and in six months all Germany will embrace it,” so 
they anticipated the speedy triumph of freedom. 
The sagacious reformer did not like to extinguish 
the hopes or dampen the courage of his youthful 
associate and therefore replied, “Go, my brother, 
and see what you can do.” It is said, that within a 
year, the amiable and disappointed Melancthon 
returned. “What success have you had?” inquired 
Doctor Luther. “Ah,” said he, “ I found old Adam 
too strong for young Melancthon!” 

Such was the experience of the abolitionists. 
The slaveholders, with few exceptions, were deaf to 


374 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


tlieir arguments and expostulations; a large major¬ 
ity of tlie merchants, manufacturers, and various 
tribes of business men throughout the country, be¬ 
lieved that emancipation would bring ruin, instead 
of prosperity; politicians, including the newspaper 
interest, derided; ministers of the gospel, so called, 
not only at the South but at the North, attempted 
to justify slaveholding from the Scriptures, at least 
apologizing for the system, if not defending it. 

Thus the deluded people put their fingers in 
their ears, and rushed forward. The God of the op¬ 
pressed, wearied with the obstinacy of the nation, 
commiserating the sufferings of the enslaved, His 
patience and long-suffering exhausted, permitted a 
civil war, such as no previous age had ever witness¬ 
ed. And while the scales of justice were for a long 
time held in poise, and doubts were felt as to the 
possibility of subduing the rebellion, the adminis¬ 
tration, perceiving that all was lost unless slavery 
was abolished, proclaimed liberty to the four mill¬ 
ions in bondage. They did not at first design to 
abolish the iniquitous system, but did it at length 
to save the government. It was not, therefore, an 
act of humanity so much as of political necessity. 

When the determination of President Lincoln 
and his cabinet became known there was a general 
acquiescence. Abolitionists, as well as others, ap¬ 
plauded the act, and were willing to accomplish the 
object in view, at whatever cost. God seemed to 
look with pity upon a reformed, if not a penitent 
people, and gave peace to the country. 


ELECTION OF MR. LINCOLN. 375 


No man, it is believed, felt greater interest in 
public affairs at this eventful period, than did Mr. 
Tappan. From a journal kept by his eldest daugh¬ 
ter the following extracts are made: 

From liis quiet home in New Haven, father watched the 
great events of the war, and with special interest every indi¬ 
cation that freedom would be proclaimed to the slave. He 
walked to the reading-room and the postoffice every morn¬ 
ing, and had always a Tribune or Times , to read aloud at 
home; and his comments were always interesting. When 
word came of the election of Abraham Lincoln as President 
of the United States, he said, with a trembling voice, “Let 
us thank God.” At family worship, that morning, he prayed 
as usual for our country, and thanked God that he had not 
deserted us on account of our sins. He prayed that we might 
now have men in office, who would fear God, walk humbly 
before him, and do justly. He prayed that the country 
might be no longer a hissing and a byword among the nations, 
but a model nation to all the world ; that through us Christ’s 
kingdom might be advanced throughout the earth. 

July, 1862. Opinions are very diverse about the general¬ 
ship of the war. We asked father what he thought on the sub¬ 
ject. “Strategy, strategy,” said he, “that is all we can say, 
when we do n’t want to condemn; all this delay is helping 
the Southerners, giving them time to raise troops and 
strengthen themselves.” But he added, “The best way is, 
not to condemn, but to wait patiently, and trust in Provi¬ 
dence. I firmly believe that God will put an end to slavery 
by this war. He is the Great General.” “ But, father,” said 
we, “think of the thousands of young men, who are dying 
of fever in the swamps and camps, who have not the satisfac¬ 
tion of feeling that they are dying for their country.” He 
replied : ‘ * They give their example of being loyal men, will¬ 
ing to fight and die for their country. If I were a young 
man,” (this he said very earnestly,) “I would willingly lay 

DOWN MY LIFE IF I COULD HELP FREE MY COUNTRY FROM 

slavery ; better lose half the men in it, than not have slave¬ 
ry abolished.” 


376 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


One of us said : “ Father, when you began to work to have 
the slaves freed, you didn’t expect to live to see it ?” He 
said: “No,” and pointing up to the sky, he added: “It was 
like looking up there, to see where heaven is—it seemed so 
far off, but it was there.” 

After the proclamation of emancipation, a friend said to 
him, “Mr. Tappan, you have lived to see a great day.” He 
replied with emphasis: “Yes, I am satisfied now.” But 
later he expressed fears that the colored people would not get 
the right of suffrage; and he grieved over every account he 
read of their wrongs and ill-treatment. 

One of us said to him, “How heart-rending are those 
accounts from our imprisoned soldiers.” He replied: “Yes, 
they are horrible, but God allows this to show to the world 
the hideousness of slavery. It will be printed and go down 
to the latest generation, to show what slavery can do. It was 
a great power, and needed a great revolution to break it up, 
such as man, without God’s help, could not bring about.” 
And he said to us: “We shall not probably have much more 
time to meet in this world; in five years I shall be of the age 
when my father died, and most of his family alsoand then 
he brought out a genealogical chart, with the names of his 
ancestors in order, several generations back, a long list, most 
of them having died with a good hope in Christ. 

ApKHi, 1865. After the murder of President Lincoln, 
one of us said to father, “What a calamity has come upon 
us.” His reply was, “I don’t know that it will be a calam¬ 
ity, but it is a horrible thing that has been done. God will 
overrule it for the good of our country. He has our country 
in hand, and will bring it out all right. He saw that we 
needed this. Lincoln would have been willing to die, could 
he have seen that it was best for the country. This is the 
fruit of slavery. It was a kind Providence that his death was 
so easy. He probably died without pain.” 

When in the meridian of his days, he made what 
he thought might be his last Will and Testament. 
The writer of this narrative, to whom it was shown, 


LETTER TO HIS BROTHER. 


377 


well remembers some of its provisions. He, at that 
time, was considered a rich man, and believed him¬ 
self that his means were quite ample. His bequests 
and legacies were such as a Christian should make. 
The provision for his family and for the education 
of his children, was amply sufficient, but the largest 
part of his wealth was given to benevolent objects. 

That will became of no value, when he found by 
experience that riches certainly make themselves 
wings and “fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” 

During the last year of his life he had some cor¬ 
respondence with his brother and former partner 
about making a will, and he seemed at the time to 
relinquish the idea. He possessed but little proper¬ 
ty in addition to the house and lot left by their moth¬ 
er, at her decease, to two of his daughters, and believ¬ 
ed that his other children would have sufficient 
property of their own. What he had he concluded 
to bequeath to them. It would seem that at the 
date he supposed himself to be worth more than he 
actually was.* 

In June, 1865, he addressed the following letter 
to his brother in Brooklyn : 

New Haven, June 8, ’65. 

Dear Brother Lewis : It is quite time that I acknowl¬ 
edged yours of the 22d ult. I am again in good health thanks 
to a kind Providence. Yesterday we were highly gratified by 
a very unexpected visit from Brother John and his invalu¬ 
able wife. He sent on his baggage and thus, relieved of all 

* The will is dated May 31, 1865, and the executors named 
were Rev. Chauncey Goodrich, Henry D. White, Esq., and William 
L. Kingsley, Esq. 


378 


AKTHUK TAPPAN. 


care, was able to make us a visit of several hours, leaving in 
the evening train, expecting to sleep in Boston. I was highly 
pleased at so unexpected a visit from one so dear to me, and 
to whom I owe, under Providence, all I am and have been 
for this world.* I was glad to find his health better than I 
had supposed it was, and that it cost him less effort to walk. 
I think he is likely to live some years yet and wish I could 
see more of him than I can expect to. 

I feel that my travelling days are over, and that if I see 
my brothers it-must be at my own home, where they and 
theirs will be always welcome. But we shall soon, I trust, 
be gathered in heaven where precious re-unions await us. 

What is to be the future of our country is known only to 
the Most High, but I have from the beginning of the war 
felt that God would overrule all the seeming evils of it to his 
glory, and the ultimate good of our nation and the world. 
With much love to your loved ones at home, 

Your affectionate brother, ARTHUR. 

New Haven, July 6,1865. 

Dear Brother : I have yours of the 4th, and thank you 
for your kind attention to my business, which, as you say 
truly, under like circumstances it will ever give me pleasure 
to reciprocate. 

I agree with you in rejoicing to see the day of universal 
freedom in our country, and feel ready to say now, “ Lord, let 
thy servant depart in peace, for I have seen the Divine bless¬ 
ing resting on the efforts of thy servants for the poor slaves.” 
With much love, A. TAPPAN, 

Mr. Lewis Tafpan, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

To liis brother in Boston he wrote the following, 
not long before his death, supposed to be the last 
letter written by him: 

* His brother John, to whom this letter was shown, protests 
against this affectionate exaggeration of what he has done for his 
brother Arthur, and supposes that he only alludes to pecuniary 
matters, as his moral and religious training was principally by his 
sainted mother, to whom, under God, all the children are so 
largely indebted. 


HIS DAUGHTER’S NARRATIVE. 379 


New Haven, July 12,18C5. 

Dear Charles : I thank you for your invitation to visit 
you. At present I have no expectation of leaving home this 
summer. My health is very good, and I am very happy with 
my children; but indeed I feel that my travelling days are over. 

I am glad that you have a daughter too, to love you, and 
care for you, in your old age. Our dear children will soon 
know us no more in this life, and it will be a source of hap¬ 
piness to them, when we are gone, to be able to reflect that 
they did all they could to make our last days happy. In the 
mean time we must repay their love to us now in every pos¬ 
sible way. With love to your daughter, 

Your affectionate brother, ARTHUR. 

Mr. Charles Tappan, Boston. 

The following is the conclusion of his eldest 
daughter’s narrative: 

May 3. Father has had a serious illness, from a heavy 
cold, with fever, and has kept his bed several days. He said 
to us : “This sickness reminds me I shall not be long here. 
We must love each other; before long we shall arrive, I hope, 
at a good port, where we shall not be separated any more. It 
will be a good one if we choose to have it so. Eor ever with 
the Lord, we hope.” 

He was attacked with a bowel complaint and fever on the 
15th of July, 1865, and from the first his brain sympathized, 
and his mind wandered at intervals. He repeated part of 
the hymn his mother taught him, “ When all thy mercies, O 
my God.” He suffered but little pain, and it required much 
persuasion to keep him in bed. On Friday he could not swal¬ 
low, but his lips were moistened. On Saturday he was con¬ 
scious, when roused and spoken to. An hour before his 
death—Sabbath morning—he looked upward, and an inde¬ 
scribable expression of awe came over him, as if he saw glo¬ 
ries hidden to us. Thus he passed peacefully to his eternal 
rest. 

Another daughter, Mrs. M-, has furnished 

the following memoranda during the progress of this 



380 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


narrative. The paper was not written for publica¬ 
tion, but for hints to the compiler, who does not 
like to abridge it essentially or withhold it, as the 
incidents, like the lights and shades of a picture, 
however minute in themselves, are necessary to give 
a faithful portraiture of the deceased. His children 
have submitted the papers they have severally writ¬ 
ten to the discretion of the compiler, and he desires 
to show their affectionate attachment to their father, 
and to use their pencil sketches to illustrate more 
fully his domestic character. Mrs. M-says: 

I wish something might be said of father’s love for sister 
Fanny Seymour, and of her beautiful religious character, 
that won his love. He usdd to call her the “ Morning Star.” 
Has uncle spoken of father’s fearlessness at the time the mob 
attacked his house in Rose-street, and how he went among 
them disguised in some way ? I have heard him say that 
some invisible power seemed to hold them back, and prevent 
them from doing what they appear to have designed. Also 
of his going to the wharf at ten o’clock at night, to wait for 
the New Haven boat, at the time a vessel was said to be wait¬ 
ing in the harbor for him, after a price had been offered for 
his head ? 

Father was very plain in his taste; he disliked jewelry 
and other ornaments for mere show. He also disapproved 
of wearing mourning apparel, and for this reason among 
others, because the poor often run in debt to obtain it. 

He had no fears of death ; so he told my mother-in-law 
during her last sickness. She said, “ I wish I could feel as 
he does.” He replied, “ I could go at once joyfully, if sum¬ 
moned.” 

He preferred home and my mother’s society to that of any 
company. He would say. “ I ought never to have been mar¬ 
ried, for my headaches make me so unsocial and unable to 
add to the happiness of my family.” 

Father’s feelings were so strong for the home missionaries, 



HIS LAST ILLNESS. 


381 


that when I returned from our society and read to him the 
letters brought from them, telling of their privations and 
needs, he would express so much for them, and desire so to 
help them more than he could afford to do, that I at last 
desisted from letting him know their appeals. So of old Mr. 
Butler, a colored man who worked for us at times. He 
insisted upon giving to this worthy old man his drawers and 
other flannel that he needed for his own use. Also of an old 
colored man who was blind, and a beggar on the streets of 
New Haven. My father would never pass him without giv¬ 
ing him money; and it was the same when the poor blind 
man followed him to the door. 

In his last sickness he was ill only one week. I had the 
privilege of spending the last evening with him that he was 
down stairs. He was very cheerful, and went to bed as well 
as usual apparently, so that we were surprised the next morn¬ 
ing that he did not rise. Dr. Charles L. Ives was called in, 
but father’s symptoms did not give way under his treatment. 
On Wednesday, just before sunset, he took up the New York 
Tribune, deliberately put on his glasses, which were lying by 
him on the bed, and turned to a short article in fine print 
about some colored persons. He asked me to let him read it 
aloud. I expressed some anxiety at seeing him reading a 
newspaper in his weak state, as he was unable to sit up in 
bed; so he read the article to himself. 

As I was reading to him, he said, with his usual thought¬ 
fulness, “ Do n’t read any longer ; as the light is fading, you 
will strain your eyes.” This was Wednesday, at or near six 
o’clock, and he died on the following Sabbath, at 7 o’clock, 
a. m. Uncle Lewis came to see him on Friday afternoon. I 
remember his saying to father, “ I hope the Saviour’s arms 
are underneath you, and that he will support you.” Father 
bowed his head, as it was the only reply he could make ; but 
his bow and manner were such—so solemn and significant— 
that I felt sure he understood just what his situation was. It 
was as if he had said : “ I know that I am going to die, and I 
feel ready to go, if it be the will of God.” 

The next morning he seemed very comfortable, and ex¬ 
pressed much pleasure respecting the kind attentions of Mr. 


382 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


Brown, who took care of him through the night. But after¬ 
wards, Mr. Brown told me, he had refused any further nour¬ 
ishment. Immediately I prepared some light food, and going 
to the side of the bed, endeavored very gently to arouse him 
from the lethargy into which he had fallen. 

As I said, “ Father, you will take it from me; you know 
me ?” at once his whole face lighted up with such a look of 
affection as I shall never forget. He moved his lips several 
times quickly, as if he would express his feelings, but he 
could not speak. It was the last recognition. 

On Sunday morning early Mr. Brown told me that my 
father could not live more than an hour or two. I sent at 
once for my kind friend, almost brother, Rev. Chauncey 
Goodrich, and he remained with us until all was over. I had 
drawn near to father to speak to him, hoping he would recog¬ 
nize me. His eyes were open, and it seemed as if he were 
gazing intently on some scene before him, unconscious of all 
about' him, and looking into the far-off land. Never before 
had I been so impressed with the majesty of death. 

The funeral took place on the 25th of July, 1865, 
at the late residence of the deceased, No. 84 Wall- 
street, New Haven. It was commencement week, 
and therefore several friends of the family, who had 
come to attend the exercises in Yale College, had 
the opportunity to unite with the neighbors and 
friends in attending the funeral. Among those pres¬ 
ent were the venerable ex-President Day, then in 
his ninety-second year, and Eev. Dr. Massie, of 
England. A considerable number of colored per¬ 
sons also attended, to pay their respects to the mem¬ 
ory of one who for forty years had been the friend 
and advocate of their people. 

All the arrangements were made with the sim¬ 
plicity the deceased had always approved. His 


HIS FUNERAL. 


383 


countenance did not indicate tliat tlie king of ter¬ 
rors had been near to trouble him. On the con¬ 
trary, it might have been said by one who did not 
know what had occurred: “He is not dead, but 
sleepeth.” One who had known him for many 
years, on viewing the calm and expressive counte¬ 
nance, said to a friend: “Look at that mouth and 
chin; what a determined will!” But there was also 
an expression of peace and triumph. 

Rev. Dr. Bacon conducted the funeral services, 
and on the ensuing Sabbath preached a funeral dis¬ 
course. 

Professor Chauncey Goodrich had charge of the 
funeral. 

The following gentlemen officiated as pall-bear¬ 
ers: Rev. S. S. Jocelyn, Amos Townsend, William 
E. Whiting, William Johnson, Henry White, Esq., 
Professor James M. Hoppin, Professor Thomas H. 
Thacher, and Rev. F. L. Cardozo.* 

The procession moved to the cemetery, where 
the remains were deposited in a grave by the side 
of his beloved wife, who had died two years pre¬ 
viously. 

o See Appendix 14. 

f Mr. Cardozo is a native of Charleston, S. C., and at the time 
was pastor of the colored Congregational chnrch in New Haven. 
He has since been secretary of state for South Carolina. 


384 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


XXVII. 

In these pages the peculiar traits of Mr. Tap- 
pan’s character have been incidentally mentioned, 
but it is reserved for the closing chapter to make a 
more full portraiture. This will not be attempted 
solely from the recollection of the compiler. The 
remembrances of others who knew him in private 
and public life, will supply deficiencies, and qualify 
any exaggerations affection may have suggested. 

The object has been to present a truthful pic¬ 
ture, not only in testimony of a beloved relative, but 
in honor of a man of God, who, according to his 
ability and opportunities, consulted the best inter¬ 
ests of his fellow-men and the kingdom of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, in all his labors and offerings. 

He never thought of himself more highly than 
he ought to think, or sought to win public favor by 
deeds of benevolence. Conscious of his imperfec¬ 
tions, and lamenting them, he cast himself upon 
Divine mercy for forgiveness. Let us view him then 
in several aspects, as he was known in domestic life 
and among his fellow-men. 

His truthfulness. His mother’s remark, when he 
was leaving his parents’ roof for the perils and temp¬ 
tations of a city life, will be recollected: “I never 
knew him tell a he.” During his whole career, it 
was the testimony of others, both friends and oppo¬ 
nents, that his veracity was unquestionable. No 


HIS CHARACTER. 


385 


falsehood was ever fastened upon him, or imputed 
to him, by any one worthy of the slightest confi¬ 
dence. Not only so, but equivocation or evasion 
were foreign to his character. He desired to obey 
the Great Teacher: “ Let your communication be 
Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than 
these cometh of evil.” 

This trait, or rather principle, led him to have 
but one price for his goods; and when he went into 
the market as a purchaser, which he usually did in 
the earlier years of his business, if he found that a 
merchant had two prices, he would turn away and 
leave his store. 

He was solicitous also to have his clerks scru¬ 
pulously refrain from all exaggerated statements 
respecting the quality of goods. One of them has 
recently said : “ Soon after I went into Mr. Tappan’s 
employment he observed to me, ‘One thing that I 
wish to impress upon your mind as a salesman is, 
never, under any circumstances, recommend an 
article of merchandise for any more than its actual 
value, so that those who buy of you can have the 
fullest confidence in your representations.’ ” It has 
been said of some one that his word was as much 
relied on as if he always felt that he was under the 
solemnity of an oath to speak the truth. The same 
might truly be said of Arthur Tappan. 

His integrity. No man ever justly accused him 
of wronging any one of a cent. The numerous 
clerks in his employ, and the large number of per- 
with whom he dealt, were witnesses of this. 
17 


sons 


386 


ARTHURTAPPAN. 


He would not soil his hands, nor inflict a wound 
upon his conscience, by unjust gains. If be bad, 
peradventure, taken anything from any man wrong¬ 
fully, be would rather restore to him fourfold. 

The clerk alluded to above, says: “I recollect 
numerous instances, while the anti-slavery excite¬ 
ment continued, of persons living in the Southern 
states, who came to our store to purchase goods, 
remarking: ‘I do not come here to buy goods 
because I like you. I detest your principles, but I 
believe that Mr. Tappan is an honest man, and will 
deal fairly with me. That is the only reason for my 
coming to his store.’ ” This clerk adds: “As I was 
about terminating my engagement, and going into 
business, Mr. Tappan took me aside, and said: 
‘ Never deceive any one; tell the exact truth to every¬ 
body ; it is the surest way to prosper.’ ” 

Another clerk has remarked: “I inquired of a 
gentleman what he thought of Mr. Tappan, and he 
replied: ‘He is a man of generous impulses, of 
great probity, and cannot be turned from a principle 
any sooner than you can turn the East from the 
West. He is always courteous and kind, in his 
treatment of others, though he may differ from them 
in opinion. I have found him so, though I am an 
owner of slaves, while he is an abolitionist.’ ” 

After his suspension, in 1837, the largest number 
of his creditors received his assurances that he had 
stopped payment from sheer necessity, that if he 
had gone on longer it would have been at the sacri¬ 
fice of their property as well as his own, and that in 


HIS PERSEVERANCE. 


387 


asking for an extension lie named the shortest time 
possible; and they believed him when he said, 
“ Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” 
At, or before the time stipulated, he did pay all, 
with interest, at a sacrifice of tens of thousands of 
dollars in extra interest. He thought it only com¬ 
mon honesty to pay his debts, as promptly as he 
could, meantime living prudently, in order to avoid 
the appearance of evil. 

His industry. Throughout his whole life he was 
a busy man. No one ever saw him idle. And he 
labored as diligently for others, whether individuals 
or societies, as he did for himself. When necessity 
required it, he was up early and late, setting a good 
example to those in his employ, and fulfilling the 
direction, “Be diligent in business.” 

His perseverance. This was a remarkable trait 
in his character. It seemed that nothing could dis¬ 
courage him. It was evinced when he lost nearly, 
if not quite all he possessed in Canada, by the war 
with England, in 1812, and his commencing busi¬ 
ness in New York, as soon as the conflict was ended; 
by his change of business from British to India 
goods, and from the credit to the cash business 
when his importations had been attended with such 
heavy losses in 1816; by his contract with a builder 
to erect a new store, the day succeeding the disas-. 
trous fire of 1835; and by numberless facts connect¬ 
ed with his history during his long and eventful 
life. He had confidence in a Superior power, to 
bless lawful enterprise, but he believed also that 


388 


AKTHUK TAPPAN. 


“ God helps those who help themselves,” and there¬ 
fore, relying upon Divine aid, he was no sooner 
defeated in one enterprise than he entered upon 
another, nothing doubting. 

His views of stewardship. He never forgot his 
accountability, as a steward of the Lord. It never 
entered his mind that his gains were his own. He 
loved business, he was pleased with prosperity, he 
delighted in handling goods and money, he was 
gratified with domestic comforts and surrounded 
his family with them, yet he ever felt that he was 
after all but a steward ; that what he had, or could 
lawfully gain, was not his, but belonged to his 
Master; that he had no right to expend his goods 
in luxurious living, in vain show, or waste them in 
any way; that he had no right to lavish them upon 
himself or family; that he was to give an account 
of the deeds done in the body, at the Great Assize. 
He therefore aimed to be, both from a sense of 
duty and from inclination, a “faithful and wise 
steward.” 

His religion . As a Christian he was devoid of 
ostentation and pretence. With a firm belief in the 
evangelical faith, he relied upon the mercy of God 
through the atoning sacrifice of the Saviour, dis¬ 
carding all thoughts of his good deeds as meriting 
reward in another life, although he firmly believed 
that as evidences of piety they were essential. 

He had much humility and reverence. This was 
evinced in his prayers and deportment. He was 
regular in family devotions, and in attendance on 


HIS UNSELFISHNESS. 


389 


public worship; and it is believed that he was 
constant in the devotions of the closet. A friend, 
w T lio knew him intimately, observed that his prayers 
were remarkable for their childlike simplicity and 
tenderness. He daily perused the Scriptures and 
meditated upon them. Every one associated with 
him believed that he had communion with God and 
endeavored to lead a holy life. 

Another clerk brings to recollection the fact that 
“on the third floor of the store was a small room, 
carpeted, that we called the Bethel, where any one 
connected with the establishment could retire, for 
devotion, if he wished.” It was used in this way by 
many connected with the store, especially during 
revivals of religion that prevailed in 1831, and sub¬ 
sequently. 

The unselfishness that ever distinguished him is 
worthy of special remembrance, as constituting an 
element of his religious character. He felt that all 
he had, his time and money, his energy and his in¬ 
fluence, belonged not to him, but to the Lord, to be 
used in promoting his glory, and the good of man¬ 
kind. This was the pivot on which his actions 
turned. It constituted his governing principle, and 
led to that active and diffusive benevolence, that 
shone so brightly during his whole career. What 
better evidence could there be of his possessing gen¬ 
uine piety ? A man whose aim it is to be benevo¬ 
lent, as the mainspring of his character, from Chris¬ 
tian motives, and who is unselfish in his feelings and 
actions, though he may have imperfections, must 


390 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


have the spirit of Jesus Christ, and be accepted of 
him. 

He did not see that it was his duty to withdraw 
himself from attending public worship because his 
minister and a majority of his fellow-members in the 
church refused to come out decidedly in opposition 
to slavery, and other enormities. Neither did he 
presume to censure those who could not conscien¬ 
tiously continue in such connections. “Who art 
thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his 
own master he standeth or falleth.” At the same 
time, when he saw how ministers of the gospel, and 
members of them churches treated the great moral 
questions of the day, the people of color, and the 
advocates of unpopular causes, he could not but 
think them greatly deficient in duty and culpable in 
the sight of God and man. 

His attendance on public worship and meetings 
of the church was constant. He sometimes felt that 
the minister was timid and vacillating, that most of 
the church members lacked sympathy with him, and 
some were violent in opposition, that the poor colored 
brethren were obliged to sit apart from their white 
brothers and sisters, in their Father’s house, still he 
held on, earnestly hoping and praying for a better 
state of things. In this he was not disappointed, 
for he lived to see the commencement of a beneficial 
change, both in sentiment and practice.* 

* It was marvellous that a “Christian” assembly should ever 
have overlooked the injunction of the Apostle James : “My breth¬ 
ren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of 
glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your as- 


HIS PECULIARITIES. 


391 


He did not fear death, and when the summons 
came, it found him ready to depart. Though he 
did not have strength to bear much testimony in his 
dying hours, he yet left a deep conviction on the 
minds of those around him, that he leaned on an 
Almighty arm, and knew in whom he had believed. 
Dying testimony is valuable, but, after all, the life 
is the thing. He was diffident of his own piety, but 
no one ever questioned that he was a child of God 
and an inheritor of the promises. 

He was taciturn, somewhat severe in manner, 
occasionally rigid, sometimes abrupt and impatient, 
but had within a kind heart. What was said of 
another might have been applied to him: “His 
sternness is all outside; he is like one of the pears 
we often see, rather tough in the skin, but if you cut 
into it, you will find it quite sweet and juicy.” He 
was also rather undemonstrative. All this may be 
allowed; but those who knew him most, knew that 
his peculiarities arose, not altogether from natural 
disposition, but chiefly from a daily headache. This 
was not an occasional trouble, as he probably never 
passed a day without feeling more or less pain in 
his head. No business or recreation enabled him 
to throw it off. It was chronic, and literally his 
thorn in the flesh. 

Persons who saw him in the busy scenes of mer- 

sembly” a rich man and a poor man, “and ye have respect to 
him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou 
here in a good place, and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit 
here under my footstool, are ye not then partial in yourselves, and 
are become judges of evil thoughts, ’ etc. 


392 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


cantile life, or among strangers, or who witnessed 
his self-possession and gravity when presiding at 
public meetings, would hardly believe that a person 
under such self-control and firmness, could evince 
so much tenderness of heart as he not unfrequently 
manifested, both in domestic life, and among the , 
poor and afflicted. Notwithstanding the infirmity 
alluded to, he could be, when free from harassing 
cares, anxiety, and the absorption occasioned by a 
press of business, affable, and even playful, mani¬ 
festing an affectionate concern for those around him. 
It was remarked that if he hurt the feelings of any 
one, by undue severity, he was quick to express 
regret. This he would do even to children, and 
sometimes with tears in his eyes. 

There were other traits in his character worthy 
of notice. He was neat and simple in dress; a 
lover of simplicity in everything; unusually abste¬ 
mious in eating and drinking; frugal,yet hospitable. 
He was noted for punctuality in keeping all his 
engagements; strict in adherence to rules; avoiding 
circumlocution, and never practising it, or li kin g it 
in others; never in a flurry, however multifarious, 
perplexing, or pressing was the business in hand. 

It was true that he seldom joked, and was not 
pleased with being made the subject of joking; that 
he sometimes appeared unsocial; that now and then 
he was the victim of misplaced confidence in trust¬ 
ing to the professions of men rather than to evi¬ 
dences of their religious and moral principles; that 
he was not free from errors of judgment with refer- 


HIS SELF-POSSESSION. 


393 


ence to business and other matters. These things, 
so far as they were faults, he lamented, and strove 
against them. If any one thinks he was too exact¬ 
ing or strict, it should be remembered that he was 
always more severe with himself than with his fel¬ 
low-men. 

His moral courage was well-known, and on more 
than one occasion he gave evidence that he possess¬ 
ed uncommon physical courage. It was owing to 
his unselfishness, his love of the right, and his trust 
in a superior power. He was scrupulous in dis¬ 
charging all the duties he owed to society as a citi¬ 
zen and a neighbor. One who knew him well in 
these relations has said: “ He was a man of great 
worth of character, of great efficiency and great per¬ 
sistency, and has left his mark on the age in which 
he lived.” 

Already has it been stated that he was more 
severe toward himself than toward others. This 
trait in connection with his remarkable self-posses¬ 
sion on all occasions, and his consideration for those 
in his employment, was shown about the time he 
suspended payment, in 1837, when all his faculties 
were intensely exerted in efforts to raise money to 
meet his engagements. One of the youngest clerks, 
who had been sent to the bank to deposit a sum of 
money to meet the payments of the day, returned 
just before the close of bank hours, and said, “I 
have been robbed!” It was ascertained that some 
adroit rogue had contrived, while the lad was wait¬ 
ing for his turn in the bank, to withdraw from the 
17* 


394 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


deposit-book, part of the money, viz., thirty-five 
hundred dollars. Great as the disappointment was 
to lose such a sum, at such a time, Mr. Tappan 
preserved his equanimity. He listened to the young 
clerk’s story, and was silent, probably thinking that 
it had been injudicious to intrust so young a per¬ 
son with a large sum of money. The clerk was 
continued in his place unrebuked, although after 
this excused from making deposits of money. 

Another instance that was trying to a merchant 
making extraordinary efforts to preserve his credit, 
at a time when money was difficult to be procured 
at even two or three per cent, a month, was in this 
wise: for mutual convenience he had exchanged 
notes, amounting to twenty thousand dollars, with 
a neighboring merchant, who had solicited the favor, 
to be discounted at the bank. Both notes fell due 
the same day, and each party was, of course, to 
take up his own paper. Mr. Tappan paid his note, 
and learned, to his surprise and disappointment, 
that the other note had not been paid, so that the 
next day he was obliged to pay it himself. The 
neighbor with whom he had exchanged notes, and 
who was the endorser, had relied upon the promisor, 
a merchant of another city, to pay the note at the 
bank, and in default of his doing so, found himself 
unable to do it. Mr. Tappan’s own payments were 
daily so large that it required, as he thought, his 
utmost exertion to meet them; but he managed to 
pay this additional sum also, at considerable sacri¬ 
fice, but without a tremor, or a word of censure. 


AN IMITATOR. 


395 


There is an anecdote connected with the maker 
of the above note, that deserves record, as an illus¬ 
tration of the character of an upright merchant, 
and his opposite. The person who signed the note 
and had transferred it to the merchant who ex¬ 
changed it for Mr. Tappan’s note, had boasted of 
of making him his model, both as a merchant and a 
Christian. He lived in a very humble way, dressed 
with quaker-like simplicity, and gave away, many 
pious books. “The Lord has prospered Arthur 
Tappan,” he said, “and if I do as he did, He will 
doubtless prosper me also.” Not succeeding as he 
anticipated, he became tired, entered into specula¬ 
tions, moved into a stylish house, threw off his 
plain attire, and united with a fashionable church. 
Alter a time he professed to be unable to meet his 
engagements, but continued to live in his usual 
style. 

Mr. Tappan’s neighbor, whose name was on the 
note, and who acted honorably in the case, said, “I 
am able to pay half of that note, and can do no 
more; you can collect the other half of the other 
party.” On being applied to, this person asserted 
that he was utterly unable to pay; that if he were 
sued it would do no good, and only injure him and 
his family. His attorney corroborated this state¬ 
ment. The suit was suspended, once and again, 
and renewed because of the positive assurance of 
Mr. Tappan’s attorney that the refusal to pay, and 
the denial of having property, was all a pretence. 
At length, judgment was obtained, an execution 


396 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


issued, real estate levied upon and advertised by 
the sheriff. Even then, and up to the hour of sale, 
the debtor and his attorney persisted in declaring 
that the suit was a cruel and heartless measure, 
and would not yield any thing. But at the last 
moment, the debtor paid the amount, with interest 
and costs. He is not the only man who has sup¬ 
posed ‘‘that gain is godliness.” 

Mr. Tappan took much pleasure in aiding un¬ 
popular causes; the more unpopular they were the 
more they secured his patronage, provided they 
were deserving. His natural inclination led him 
to this course of action, and having, by one or more 
acts of this nature, jeoparded his reputation, he felt 
willing, after an illustrious example, to make him¬ 
self “of no reputation,” drawing a proper distinc¬ 
tion between character —what a man is—and reputa¬ 
tion —what men say he is. It was his desire to 
have an irreproachable character in the sight of 
God, but for reputation, in the light of the above 
definition, he had no especial regard. In fact, he 
believed that a desire to preserve a good reputa¬ 
tion often leads to a dereliction of duty, making 
cowards of men who might otherwise achieve great 
things for humanity; and that the loss of reputa¬ 
tion was often the means of extensive usefulness, 
leading to an abnegation of one’s self in the prose¬ 
cution of noble deeds. 

There was another trait in his character that 
deserves notice. In giving to good objects he 
studied to do it in a way to call forth the bene- 


HIS MODE OF GIVING. 


397 


factions of others, and in this way he could say, 
“Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.” But 
he was never known to make a subscription with 
the calculation that the condition on which it was 
made would defeat the object in view, and thus 
gain to himself the credit of a generous act, while 
it cost him nothing. If the object was a deserving 
one, he took pleasure in affording it all the aid he 
consistently could, but having some knowledge of 
human nature, and its workings even in good men, 
he considered its tendencies, and acted in such 
matters with reference to them. 

No man was more indifferent to applause than 
himself, in consequence of any subscription he made 
to a meritorious object, though he was not gener¬ 
ally studious to conceal his benefactions, especially 
when his example might operate to stimulate others. 
At the same time he refrained from all publication 
of his gifts, direct or indirect, and in his private 
character, was not disobedient to the injunction, 
“When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know 
what thy right hand doeth.” And the satisfaction 
derived from a consciousness of having done right, 
was a sufficient and never failing reward, both for 
the amount expended and the time employed; verify¬ 
ing the remark of a distinguished preacher: “ There 
is no person in the world that so uniformly takes 
his pay as he goes along, as he who does good at 
the expense of his own comfort and convenience.”* 
If he had hoarded money, instead of using it as 
a Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. 


398 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


it was earned, lie might have amassed great wealth. 
But he had no ambition of the kind; through divine 
grace he laid up treasure in heaven by constant 
offices of benevolence on earth. Had he acted 
otherwise, no one in the city probably had a better 
opportunity than he to become a rich man. He 
considered it more blessed to give than to receive 
and hoard, and experienced the truth of the Chris- 
tion paradox, constantly giving to good objects is 
constantly receiving. He relied on the Divine prom¬ 
ise, that those who seek first the kingdom of God, 
who consecrate themselves and their gains and 
time for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause 
and the good of mankind, shall have the life that 
now is, and that which is to come. 

According to the above statements Arthur Tap- 
tan was a happy man, happy in regard to this life, 
and happy in view of a glorious immortality—his con¬ 
stitutional infirmities, his buffetings, notwithstand¬ 
ing. Like his divine Lord and Master, he “endured 
the cross, despising the shame,” striving manfully 
and bravely for the right. He has thus left to his 
family a priceless inheritance—a good name; and 
is, we doubt not, in a better world: “ There the zvick- 
ed cease from troubling , and the weary are at rest. . . . 
Yea i saitli the Spirit , that they may rest from their 
labors; and their works do follow them.” 


ADDENDA. 


399 


ADDENDA. 


The following letter was received by bis daughter, some 
months after her father’s death, from William Lloyd Gar¬ 
rison. 

Boston, January 25, 1866. 

My Dear Miss Tappan : Your very kind letter enclosing 
a photograph of your revered father, gives me inexpressible 
pleasure. This likeness better reveals his features to my 
recollection than the one he had the kindness to send me, 
though that is highly prized. Be assured I shall carefully 
preserve them both in my collection of portraits of friends, 
the most cherished and beloved—not merely because he was 
my liberator from the Baltimore prison in 1830, and among 
my earliest coadjutors in the then persecuted but now trium¬ 
phant cause of the down-trodden slave, but for his Christian 
graces and virtues, making his character illustrious and prov¬ 
ing his love for God by his love for man without regard to 
complexion, race, or clime. 

He was the embodiment of integrity and justice, of 
world-wide philanthropy and genuine piety, of true modesty 
and utter self-abnegation. He had a solid understanding, a 
great conscience, and a warm heart. No man was ever more 
faithful to his convictions of duty, lead where it might, 
through the flood or through the fire. 

At all times “ready to be offered ” in the service of God, 
and the cause of suffering humanity, he was serene in the 
midst of fiery trials and imminent perils, being crucified to 
“that fear of man which bringeth a snare,” and having his 
life “hid with Christ in God.” 

There are many forms of martyrdom besides being liter¬ 
ally burnt to ashes, requiring as much courage and fortitude, 
and as great a heart and will, as the stake. Some of the 
most trying of these he had to confront for a long period 
in the rabid pro-slavery city of New York, but who ever 


400 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


knew him to shrink from the cross ? He could neither be 
appalled by mob violence nor seduced by worldly interest. 
As a merchant naturally desiring customers, and a wide 
market, and having an immense business at stake, he had 
the most powerful temptation to avoid an espousal of so 
unpopular a cause as that of abolition, but in the spirit of 
his Master, he said, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” Though 
not so conspicuously identified with the anti-slavery strug¬ 
gle for some years past as formerly, his interest in it never 
lessened; and now that the nation has decreed universal 
emancipation, I doubt not that he is cognizant of the glori¬ 
ous event, and with the liberated millions rendering praise 
and thanksgiving to God. 

Where or what I should have been without his benevo¬ 
lent interposition to release me from my Baltimore imprison¬ 
ment, it is in vain for me to conjecture. My deep indebted¬ 
ness I shall never forget. 

Your much obliged friend, 

WM. LLOYD GARRISON. 

The following letters were addressed to the compiler : 

FBOM HON. GERRIT SMITH. 

Peterboro’, January 27, 1870. 

My Dear Friend: ... It gratifies me to learn that you 
are sketching the life of your brother Arthur. I held him in 
very high esteem. He was, in my view, a remarkably ear¬ 
nest, sincere, solemn and holy man. ... I had but few inter¬ 
views with him. Once, when breakfasting at his house, we 
conversed on the subject of caste. I can never forget the 
deep feeling he disclosed. He said that repentance on the 
part of those who indulge this wicked spirit, would wet their 
cheeks with “scalding tears.” How often have I recalled 
those words, “scalding tears !” . . . 

Here and there, a man like Bartlet of Massachusetts, had 
given largely to some one object,'but Arthur Tappan was the 
first man among us to make large gifts to various objects, 
fro other man in the land made a use of money, at once so 
sacred and so generous. With affectionate regard, 

I remain your friend, 

GERRIT SMITH. 

Lewis Tappan, Esq. 


ADDENDA. 


401 


FROM AMOS TOWNSEND, ESQ. 

New Haven, Nov. 15,1869. 

My Dear Brother : . . . About the “new cemetery” of 
which you speak, and the colored people, I am unable to in¬ 
form you, but the cemetery in Grove-street where the remains 
of your brother now rest, has witnessed the change to which 
you refer. Originally the colored people were assigned a 
position on the extreme western side of the ground. In the 
avengings of time and of blindfolded justice, this spot has been 
surrounded by the graves of the rich, the great and the 
noble, and their humble gravestones are encompassed by the 
costly and splendid monuments of the honored dead of the 
superior race. 

So “the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” If 
we, in our time, seek to be on the side of right and truth, 
and of Christ and humanity, we cannot but be safe, and 
bide our time ; but if we proudly seek preeminence over the 
poor and the despised little ones of God, his righteous provi¬ 
dence will avenge their cause, and we, or our memories, will 
be at the bottom. 

Heartily wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God 
our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, 

Yours in Christian fraternity, 

AMOS TOWNSEND. 

Lewis Tappan, Esq. 

FROM A NIECE OF ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

My recollections of Uncle Arthur in my childhood are of 
a grave character. I was often at his house to play with his 
children, but he was absent all day, and often returned with 
a headache. I remember, that we were then told to be very 
still, and that I would stand silently looking at him, awed by 
a sense of his suffering, as he sat upright on the sofa, with his 
handkerchief thrown over his head. 

Afterwards, I remember a brief visit that we had from 
him at our summer retreat in 1835, in a village in Connecti¬ 
cut. He was travelling incog, from New Haven to New York. 
It was a very tender visit. A price was set upon his head by 


402 


AETHUE TAPPAN. 


those at a distance who little knew what a man and a Chris¬ 
tian he was, and daily threats and attempts were made 
against the life of my dear father whom he came to see. 

I remember, not more than a year or two after this, un¬ 
dertaking to raise a sum of money for the relief of a deserv¬ 
ing woman. Wearied and somewhat discouraged by partial 
.success, I ventured to address a note to Uncle Arthur, asking 
a donation for this object. I did this reluctantly, because I 
knew how intensely occupied he was, and how many similar 
applications he was constantly receiving. I was agreeably 
surprised by the promptness of his reply and the generous 
sum that he enclosed, not only, but by the warm interest 
that he expressed in my little undertaking. From that time 
I felt that my Uncle Arthur had a very tender as well as a 
very large heart. 

In the summer of 1847, he was not as well as usual, and I 
was one of a group of younger relatives who accompanied 
him to the seashore, hoping that the change would benefit 
him. Those were days of enjoyment to him. He left all 
care behind, and gave himself up to that delight in nature 
which only one of her true children could have. He seemed 
like a lovely happy child, and one at least of that group felt 
drawn to him by ties of more than ordinary sweetness ever 
afterwards. 

It was at this time that he spoke of his life-long attraction 
to agricultural pursuits, and to life in the country, and men¬ 
tioned a walk that he took on Eoxbury neck, one fine morn¬ 
ing in his early manhood, and the decision that he then 
reluctantly made, as he stood and looked at the beautiful 
hills and fields in one direction, and at the city in another, 
to return to the latter and continue in business there. “ I 
went,” said he, “contrary to my instincts. I always feel, 
when so free from headache as I have been on this journey, 
that I should have escaped a great deal of suffering if I had 
decided that morning for agricultural pursuits. ” 

My latest remembrance of Uncle Arthur, aside from his 
occasional letters, is his last visit to us on his return from. 
Washington in 1864. I said to him, “I suppose you and 
Uncle C-called to see Mr. Lincoln?” “No,” was the 


ADDENDA. 403 

characteristic reply, “we were too obscure men to take any 
of the time that belonged to the nation. ” 

I thought that, in singleness of motive and humility, he 
was a brother spirit to Abraham Lincoln, and that it would 
have been refreshing to the latter to have taken the hand of 
Arthur Tappan; but I did not reply. I was too deeply im¬ 
pressed by the beautiful unconsciousness of the speaker. 

BY EEV. WILLIAM H. HALLOCK, D. D. 

The following was published in the “ American Messen¬ 
ger” soon after the decease of Mr. Tappan, and afterwards 
as a tract, No. 677, in the series of the publications of the 
American Tract Society. 

AETHTJR TAPPAN. 

On one act of this merchant prince turned the Tract 
operations of this country. Near the close of 1824, the Tract 
Societies at New York and Boston were negotiating for the 
formation of a truly national institution, in which all the 
tract societies of the country might be united, when Arthur 
Tappan at New York sent word to William A. Hallock, then 
Assistant Secretary of the Society at Boston, that if he would 
visit New York, and money was wanting, it should be forth¬ 
coming. The visit was made, and after many prayerful con¬ 
sultations of Christian brethren, Mr. Tappan one evening, at 
his own house, said to Mr. Hallock, “What do you want ? 
what kind of a building? how large must it be?” “That 
must depend on the extent of the Society’s operations,” was 
the reply; “we might have the printing in the fourth story, 
the binding in the third, the general depositary in the sec¬ 
ond, a store in the first to accommodate New York, and the 
rest of the first story and the basement might be rented to 
pay the debt, if any was incurred.” “Well. I have deter¬ 
mined to give $5,000 to it,” was the immediate response. 
Within a few hours three other men, Moses Allen, now Treas¬ 
urer, Bichard T. Haines, Chairman of the Finance Commit¬ 
tee, and W. W. Chester, gave $5,000 more; $20,000 was 
was raised, and soon increased to $25,000; the present site 
of the Tract House in Nassau-street was purchased; the na- 


404 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


tional Society was unanimously organized by delegates from 
tract societies in all parts of the country ; the building was 
erected; and the work entered on and prosecuted with an 
energy and success rarely equalled. For eleven years Mr. 
Tappan was Chairman of the Finance Committee, and gave 
the Society not only his continued liberal contributions, but 
his wise practical counsels and untiring and efficient personal 
labors. His heart was with the destitute and perishing; he 
was an active tract distributer, adding charities for the body 
to food for the soul; calling in active Christian cooperation, 
and superintending and encouraging the labors of many. In 
a meeting of gentlemen in the Tract House to raise funds 
for supplying the destitutions of the great West, Mr. Tap- 
pan very characteristically said, “I want to give two tracts 
to every family in the valley of the Mississippi, so that none 
shall be passed by. I will give Si,000 for this object.” 

We believe that in the earlier years of this century there 
was a sacredness in the benevolent movements which then 
took their rise, and in the evidences of the true conversion 
of a soul to God, which many of the young can now perhaps 
hardly appreciate. The churches, after a long and fatal 
slumber, had awoke anew to the truth that except a man be 
“born again” by the power of the Holy Spirit, he must 
perish, and to the duty of seeking the personal salvation of 
“every creature.” This gave rise to the formation, in 1810, 
of the American Board of Foreign Missions, in 1816 the 
Bible Society, in 1824 the Sunday-school Union, in 1825 the 
National Tract Society, and contemporaneously many other 
kindred institutions. Few men felt this inspiring impulse 
more deeply than Mr. Tappan. Born in 1786, in North¬ 
ampton, Mass., and passing seven years as clerk in a store at 
Boston, his youth was spent in a dark period of the church. 
He had a godly mother, Sarah Homes, a descendant of the 
eminent William Homes, and intimate with the missionary 
Mayliews of Martha’s Vineyard—as she was also a relative of 
the celebrated Benjamin Franklin ; but though her son’s 
moral character was spotless, we have no evidence of his con¬ 
version to God until, when at about the age of thirty, he 
joined the church of the Rev. Dr. John M. Mason. Then, 


ADDENDA. 


405 


“redeeming the time,” he consecrated himself, body and 
soul, his power to accumulate wealth, his personal toils and 
prayers, all he had and all he was, in unreserved devotion to 
Him who gave himself a sacrifice for perishing men. He 
made princely gifts for many noble objects ; for founding 
Auburn, Lane, and other theological seminaries; aiding 
young men in preparing for the ministry, and strengthening 
weak churches; he was himself a hard-worker in Sabbath- 
schools ; his heart bled for the suffering and oppressed; 
there seemed no limit to his constant gifts or personal 
labors, though his business as a merchant was for many 
years as absorbing as that perhaps of any other man, in any 
land. 

Mr. Tappan commenced business in Portland, Maine; 
was for a time in Montreal till the war of 1812; and in 1815 
established himself in New York, where in 1817, in Hanover- 
square, he entered on that successful career as a silk mer¬ 
chant which made him for nearly twenty years one of the most 
prosperous and distinguished merchants of the city, having 
the confidence of all in his unbending integrity, and his 
business extending throughout the whole country. In the 
great commercial crisis of 1837 he suffered immense losses; 
and not long after turned his attention to other and more 
retired occupations, by which he obtained a comfortable sub¬ 
sistence for his family, and the ability still to contribute, 
though on a greatly diminished scale, throughout his pro¬ 
tracted life. 

“Our great system of benevolent institutions,” says an 
able writer who knew him well, “owes its expansion and 
power in a great degree, to his influence. His example 
inspired the merchants of New York with the principle of 
enlarged benevolence, leading them to give their hundreds 
and thousands and tens of thousands where before they 
were accustomed to think it a great matter if they gave their 
tens or fifties. His wise counsels and energetic determina¬ 
tion and munificent donations decided the formation and 
destiny of the American Tract Society, and gave it the strong 
and steady career on which it has advanced for so many 
years. His thoughtful mind planned the great enterprise of 


406 


'ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


the American Bible Society of giving a Bible to every family 
in the United States, and his pledge of ten thousand dollars 
rendered it impossible but that the work should be under¬ 
taken—and done. Many others might be named of the 
great social movements of the last forty years, which owed 
their being or their power to his comprehensiveness of vision, 
sagacity of forethought, or largeness of liberality. Hardly 
any one can be named which did not become what it was, at 
least in part, through his agency and influence. It was a 
large heart, gifted with most extensive foresight, guiding a 
singularly effective will.” 

In 1827 he established, at the expense of tens of thousands 
of dollars, an able daily commercial newspaper which rested on 
the Sabbath, refrained from advertising theatrical licentious 
exhibitions and intoxicating liquors, and continues to be per¬ 
haps the first commercial paper in the country. From 1830 
till his death in New Haven, July 23, 1865, in his eightieth 
year, he devoted his energies prominently to removing from 
this land the curse of slavery. 

And when it appeared that pious young men were hin¬ 
dered from coming to Yale College for want of means, he 
assumed, in 1826, the responsibility of paying for the tuition 
of all beneficiaries in the college till the number should be 
more than a hundred. 

In 1830, an event occurred which seems to have given a 
new direction to the main current of Mr. Tappan’s future 
life. Mr. Garrison was then in prison at Baltimore for the 
non-payment of a fine imposed on him for an alleged libel as 
to the domestic slave-trade, and this being known to Mr. 
Tappan, he “ promptly paid the fine and set him at liberty, 
getting the start of Henry Clay who was taking measures to 
do the same thing.” This led Mr. Garrison to spend a week 
in Mr. Tappan’s family, mildly and ably laying before him 
all his views of the abominations of slavery; and from this 
time onward the destruction of that system was evidently 
prominent in all Mr. Tappan’s plans and efforts. 

A most competent witness says of him : “As a business 
man he exercised a paternal regard for the welfare of the 
large number of clerks in his employ. While he avoided 


ADDENDA. 


407 


every thing obtrusive, he insisted that they should board in 
respectable families, regularly attend church on the Sabbath, 
abstain from sinful amusements, and shun vicious compan¬ 
ions. He was unostentatious, simple in his habits, and hos¬ 
pitable. He had a profound reverence of God, and was a 
lover of good men of every denomination. He was an exem¬ 
plary Christian, and looked forward to death as an introduc¬ 
tion to an endless life of happiness, placing no reliance on 
any good deeds, but resting solely on the mercy of God 
through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. His 
prayers were peculiarly characterized by profound humility, 
tenderness, and child-like simplicity. In his last letter to 
one of his brothers he wrote, ‘ I feel that I can say, Lord, 
now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes 
have seen thy salvation, and the emancipation of the poor 
colored people.’ ” 

After fifty years of faithful service for Christ and the souls 
of men, Mr. Tappan, in his eightieth year, July 23, 1865, at 
his residence in New Haven, peacefully and thankfully enter¬ 
ed into rest. 

AUBUEN THEOIiOGICAIi SEMIN ABY. 

From the address of Prof. Hopkins of Auburn Theologi¬ 
cal Seminary, to the class graduating in May, 1866. 

... At the opening of the year, 1823, this seminary, then 
just beginning its career, was in a condition of peril threat¬ 
ening its immediate dissolution. It was a newborn child for 
which no nourishment or next to none, had been provided. 
Three professors indeed were on the ground : part of the 
present seminary building had been erected : two classes of 
students had entered. But there were no funds for the sup¬ 
port of the professors: there was only a small library of 
second-hand books, and the trustees were already several 
thousand dollars in debt for current expenses. Efforts to 
raise money were almost wholly fruitless. To go on very 
long in this way was plainly impossible. The question had 
to be considered whether, for the time at least, the semina¬ 
ry must not be closed, the classes disbanded, and Professors 
Mills and Perrine dismissed again to the pastoral work. 


408 


ARTHUR TAPPAN. 


In this crisis Dr. Lansing, pastor of the First Presbyte¬ 
rian church, who was also professor of sacred rhetoric in the 
seminary, visited New York city with some faint hope of 
securing assistance. Among other persons he called on Mr. 
Arthur Tappan, a young and enterprising Christian mer¬ 
chant doing business in Pearl-street. As the result of this 
interview he was led to hope that Mr. Tappan would perhaps 
endow a scholarship of $2,000 in the seminary: and this was 
all the encouragement he brought back from this visit. 

But better things were in store for us. The Lord did not 
mean that this infant institution, founded with the most de¬ 
liberate and prayerful regard to the wants of the church 
should perish so prematurely. From the address of Rev. 
John Keep at the installation of Dr. Richards, Oct. 23, 1823, 
I take the following statement of the change in its prospects : 

“Although the friends of this seminary have not wit¬ 
nessed the pillar of cloud and of fire as a guide to their 
course, they believe that the ‘still small voice’ of Divine 
Providence has bidden them go forward. With mingled 
emotions of fear and hope, they still watch its infant strug¬ 
gles : and they are cheered as they already descry increasing 
light breaking in upon them from the retreating clouds. The 
circumstances under which we are convened are connected 
with the most pleasing hopes and associations. Especially 
should we be devoutly thankful in view of the recent inter¬ 
position of Divine Providence which has laid the foundation 
for another professorship in this seminary. During the past 
season an unknown Friend in the city of New York has with 
a princely liberality made an endowment for the support of 
a professor of Christian theology. On this foundation the 
board of commissioners have duly elected the Rev. James 
Richards, D. D., as professor in this department: and he 
having accepted the appointment has been now inducted 
into office in the form prescribed by the ordinances of the 
institution.” 

This “unknown Friend” continued for many years after 
to be equally unknown to all but a very few persons con¬ 
nected with the seminary. With a Christian humility quite 
remarkable he refused to permit his name to be associated in 


ADDENDA. 


409 


any manner with his benefaction. He expressed his wish 
that Dr. Richards should be the incumbent of the chair of 
theology: and that it should be known as the “ Richards 
professorship.” The donation of $15,000, and all the ar¬ 
rangements connected with it, were carried on through the 
medium of the late Eleazar Lord of New York. 

I am not aware by what means it finally transpired that 
this friend in need was Arthur Tappan, a name afterwards 
widely known for Christian philanthropy and for heroic 
fidelity to convictions of duty. For thirty years he was the 
mark for every weapon of insult and abuse oppression could 
wield. The man who but named him (at least if he was a 
Southern slaveholder or a Northern sympathizer) at once 
dismissed all mercy from his lips, and sneered and hissed ; 
“thief,” “hypocrite,” “incendiary,” “fanatic,” etc.—we all 
remember the vocabulary of abuse to which slavery accus¬ 
tomed us—were the epithets he was wont to be pelted with. 

Since the last anniversary of this seminary Arthur Tap- 
pan has died. He had outlived his strength, his fortunes, 
his contemporaries : but he had also, thank God! outlived 
that demoniacal iniquity which so long possessed this coun¬ 
try, and which in going out has rent us with such an awful 
convulsion. He lived long enough to have the government 
and the North come over to his side, and to see half a mill¬ 
ion of men in arms champion his ideas to a successful issue. 
His eyes had seen the salvation of the Lord : and he was, no 
doubt, quite ready to say, Domine—nunc dimittis / 

It is well-known that Mr. Tappan, while still in the prime 
of life, was overwhelmed by commercial disaster from which 
he never recovered. His fortune was swept away. But a 
part of it he had secured beyond the reach of mischance. 
What he kept he lost: what he gave, he saved. The $15,000 
which endowed the “Richards professorship of Christian 
theology”—not a great sum indeed when compared with the 
splendid charities of far richer men at the present day, but 
for that time, and for a young business man to spare from 
his capital, truly “princely”—this $15,000, he had anchored 
safely where none of the blasts that wreck mercantile ven¬ 
tures could reach it—so carefully was the trust guarded that 

18 


410 


ARTHURTAPPAN. 


not only lias not a dollar been lost down to the present time, 
but it would seem well nigh impossible it ever should be lost. 

With equal care the trust was guarded against theological 
perversion. The founder declared it to be “his intention 
and design in granting the said sum that the interest or in¬ 
come of said capital fund should be annually applied to the 
support of a professor of Christian theology holding the theo¬ 
logical sentiments and faith which are required by the ordi¬ 
nances of the seminary now in force ; and if at any time here¬ 
after any professor on this foundation shall in any important 
article differ from the said system of faith, and especially if 
such professor shall not fully believe and teach the true and 
proper divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the personality of 
the Holy Spirit, the total depravity of man in his natural 
state, and the eternal punishment of the wicked, then the 
founder of this professorship reserves to himself, his heirs, 
executors, and assigns, the right to reclaim and receive back 
the capital fund hereby granted,” etc. 

This benefaction marked the turning point in the fortunes 
of the seminary. . . . Friends plucked up courage : one good 
deed is apt to produce numerous echoes; and this one re¬ 
peated itself in welcome though lesser benefactions : students 
began to flock in. The next class that entered consisted of 
forty-eight members; many of whom have preached the 
gospel with eminent success, and left their impress deep in 
the religious character of this and the Western states. 

For forty years and more Mr. Tappan was permitted to 
witness such and similar fruits of his judicious liberality. 
Forty classes of students for the ministry drew their views 
of the system of divine truth from the chair he established, 
before he entered into his rest: happy above most other men 
in this, that in the prime of life and in the midst of his 
prosperity, he had laid up a good foundation for the time to 
come. It is at the request of the prudential committee and 
the faculty of this seminary, that I lay this chaplet on the 
tomb of Arthur Tappan.* 

® See Appendix 10, for resolutions of the trustees, on death of 
Mr. Tappan. 


APPENDIX 


I. 

GENEALOGICAL NOTICE. 

Abraham Toppan, ancestor of Arthur Tappan, came to Amer¬ 
ica from Yarmouth, Norfolk county, England, October, 1637. 
The name was originally Topham, taken from the name of a place 
in Yorkshire, meaning upper hamlet or village. The pedigree, so 
far back as we have traced it, commenced with Robert Topham, 
who resided at Linton, near Palely bridge, supposed to be in the 
West riding of Yorkshire. He made his will in January, 1550. 

His second son, Thomas Topham, was of Arncliffe, near Lin¬ 
ton. He died in 1589. Edward Topham alias Toppan, eldest son 
of Thomas, was of Aiglethorpe, near Linton, and his pedigree is 
recorded in the College of Arms with armorial bearings. One of 
his sons, was a lieutenant-colonel in the service of Charles I., and 
was killed at Marston Moor in 1644. 

William Toppan, fourth son of Edward Toppan, of Aigle¬ 
thorpe, lived for some time at Calbridge, where his son Abraham 
was baptized, April 10, 1606. The family still exists in England, 
are now of Middleham, in the north part of Yorkshire, on the 
river Ouse. The crest is a Maltese cross. 

As early as 1637, Abraham Toppan resided at Yarmouth. His 
wife was Susanna Taylor, a daughter of a Mr. Taylor and his wife 
Elizabeth. After the death of Mr. Taylor, the widow Elizabeth 
married a Mr. Goodale ; and after the death of Mr. Goodale she 
came to Newbury, where she died April 8, 1647. One of her 
daughters was Susanna, the wife of Abraham Toppan. 

Among the records in London, where emigrants were obliged 
to register their names, and obtain permission to leave the coun¬ 
try, is the following: 

“May 10, 1637. The examination of Abraham Toppan of Yar¬ 
mouth, aged 31 years, and Susanna his wife, aged 30 years, with 
two children, Peter and Elizabeth, and one mayd servant, Anne 



412 APPENDIX. 

Goodwin, aged 18 years, are desirous to passe to New England to 
inhabit.” 

In the first volume of the fourth series of the publications of 
the Massachusetts Historical Society, pp. 98 and 99, is the fol¬ 
lowing : 

“A register of the names of such persons, who are 21 years 
and upward, and have license to passe into forraigne parts from 
March, 1637, to the 29th of September, by virtue of a Commission 
of Mr. Thomas Mayhew, Gentleman,” contains, among others, 
these: “Abraham Toppan, Cooper, aged 31, Susanna his wife 
aged 31, with their children Peter and Elizabeth, and one mayd 
servant, Anne Goodwin, aged 18 years, sailed from Yarmouth 
10 May, 1637, in the ship Eose of Yarmouth, Wm. Andrews, 
Master.” 

In October, 1637, as appears by the following extract from the 
town records of “Ould Newbury,” Essex county, Mass., Abraham 
Toppan was admitted to citizenship : 

“Abraham Toppan, being licensed by John Endicott, Esq., to 
live in his jurisdiction was received into the town of Newbury as 
an inhabitant thereof, and hath here promised under his hand 
to be subject to every lawful order, that shall be made by the 
towne. “ Abraham Toppan.” 

The following year he was chosen one of the selectmen. He 
carried on his trade, and also engaged in merchandise. 

Abraham and Susanna Toppan had eight children, the fourth 
of whom, Samuel, born 5th June, 1670, was a farmer, who settled 
at Newbury, and married Abigail Wigglesworth in 1702. Her 
father was minister of Malden, Mass., and her brother Edward 
was professor of divinity in Harvard College. They had ten chil¬ 
dren, of whom Benjamin was the ninth. He was born in 1720, 
graduated at Harvard College ; married Elizabeth Marsh of 
Haverhill, Mass.; was settled in the ministry at Manchester, Es¬ 
sex county, in 1745, where he died, aged 70, greatly lamented. 
They had twelve children. The oldest, Benjamin, was born Octo¬ 
ber 21st, “Old Style,” equivalent to November 1st, “New StyW 
He was apprenticed to William Homes, Esq,, the “honest gold¬ 
smith,” as he was called, in Ann-street, Boston, and married his 
daughter Sarah Homes, October 22d, “Old Style,” 1770. 

After the death of Eev. Benjamin Toppan, in 1790, his children, 
at a family meeting, agreed to change the spelling to Tappan, at 
the suggestion of the eldest son, who had for sometime adopted 
that way of writing it. 


APPENDIX. 


413 


The Homes family originated in the north of Ireland. Eev. 
William Homes, great grandfather of Mrs. Tappan, was a Presby¬ 
terian minister there, emigrated to this country early in the 
eighteenth century; and was installed pastor of the church at Chil- 
mark, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., in 1715 or 1716. He was the 
author of several publications, and was highly venerated by his 
contemporaries. 

Robert Homes, his son, was master of a vessel that traded 
from Boston to Philadelphia. He married Mary Franklin, sister 
of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, who makes mention of him in his auto¬ 
biography. He left two children, the oldest of whom was Will¬ 
iam, the father of Mrs. Tappan. He was bom January 16, 1716, 
in Boston, where he served an apprenticeship in the goldsmith 
business, and afterwards, on his son’s assuming the business, en¬ 
tered into trade, as a flour and iron merchant. His store was 
burned during the Eevolutionary war. He then bought a farm in 
Norton, Mass., where he lived a short time, and died in Boston, 
July, 1785, in his seventieth year. He was buried with his wife in 
the Chapel burying-ground, Tremont-street, Boston. 

Sakah Tappan was born January 2d, 1748, and died March 26, 
1826. Benjamin Tappan was bom November 1, 1747, and died 
January 30, 1831. They lived together fifty-nine years, honored 
in their day and generation. They had eleven children, seven 
sons and four daughters, and nine children survived them. Their 
grandchildren numbered seventy-two. 

2 . 

THE CEEDIT SYSTEM 

The following is extracted from a pamphlet published by Lewis 
Tappan, in 1869, entitled, “Is it Eight to be Eich?” 

“A few words with regard to the credit system that so generally 
prevails among men of business. The supposed gains, under this 
system, are very fallacious, while the net gains in the long run, 
under the cash system , would be much more lucrative to the indi¬ 
vidual and more beneficial to the community. Besides it is not 
easy to determine what one’s income or actual gain really is, when 
the credit system so generally prevails. This uncertainty affords 
a pretext too often for giving as little as possible to the cause of 
God or man. If the cash system were generally adopted, more 
money would be paid into the Lord’s treasury, and it would be a 
great restraint upon the feverish and almost insane spirit of spec- 


414 


APPENDIX. 


ulation, interchange of indorsements, hazardous risks and wild 
expansion of business that harass business men, lead to bank¬ 
ruptcy, to neglect of families, to neglect of their own souls and the 
souls of others, and often to the ruin of body and soul. A mer¬ 
chant of remarkable industry and carefulness, now deceased, in¬ 
formed the writer that, during the thirty years he was in the 
wholesale importing and jobbing business in New York, as a dry- 
goods merchant, he had made a fortune of eight hundred thou¬ 
sand dollars on his books ; but owing to bad debts, the amount 
had been reduced to so small a sum that he gave up trade, pur¬ 
chased a farm in the country, and, not succeeding very well, his 
sons are now clerks in New York. So much for the credit sys¬ 
tem.” 

The following statement of facts illustrative of the effects of 
the credit system, is worthy of consideration: 

About the year 1832, Rev. David Nelson, M. D., subsequent¬ 
ly author of the admirable work published by the American 
Tract Society, entitled ‘Cause and Cure of Infidelity,’ came to 
New York, to solicit aid to establish a college in Missouri. He 
wished to borrow the sum of $20,000 for the purchase of land, 
giving security therefor. After much inquiry and powerful effort, 
with the aid of a friend in the city, he succeeded in obtaining a 
loan for ten years, with annual interest at seven per cent. The 
money was borrowed from Isaac Bronson, Esq., one of the 
shrewdest financial men in the country. He required, 1. That 
the trustees of the college should mortgage to him the land 
to be purchased of the United States as security to their bond; 
2. That the forty merchants in New York who had expressed a 
willingness to loan their names to the amount of $500 each should 
unite in a guaranty; 3. That five of the number, whose names 
he selected, should give a bond equivalent to indorsing the re¬ 
sponsibility of the forty persons ; 4. That the friend who had 
negotiated the loan on behalf of Dr. Nelson, should give his obliga¬ 
tion to hold Mr. Bronson harmless at all events. Having this four¬ 
fold security the money was advanced. It seemed strange that so 
much security should be required, but the far-seeing lender judged 
it necessary, and as will be seen acted with singular foresight in 
view of taking security of men engaged in the credit system. 

When the ten years had expired and the trustees had proved 
irresponsible, No. 4 was applied to for payment. He acknowl¬ 
edged the obligation, but was pecuniarily unable to respond. No. 
3 were then applied to, and four of them had become insolvent! 


APPENDIX. 


415 


The only solvent person among them endeavored to collect their 
quota of the second class, but found that a large portion of them 
had also failed! He was therefore under the necessity of settling 
with Mr. Bronson, which he did in an honorable manner. This 
gentleman was Mr. Richard T. Haines. When the loan was ef¬ 
fected, those in the No. 2 list were all in prosperous circumstances, 
and each of the No. 3 list was rich. And yet, such are the uncer¬ 
tainties of trade, especially on the credit system, that in less than 
ten years nearly all these merchants became bankrupts. 

3. 

JOURNAL OF COMMERCE. 

In the Memoirs of David Hale, by Rev. Joseph P. Thompson, 
it is stated: 

“In 1827, Mr. Arthur Tappan, with his princely liberality and 
zealous regard for the public good, resolved to establish in New 
York a commercial newspaper, to be conducted upon principles of 
sound morality and true independence, and with a scrupulous 
regard for the Sabbath. Some friends of Mr. Hale, learning of 
the movement, recommended him to Mr. Tappan as a suitable 
person to take charge of the commercial and business department 
of the paper, to which post he was accordingly invited. He en¬ 
tered upon his duties at the commencement of the enterprise, 
September 1, 1827; W. Maxwell, Esq., of Norfolk, Va., a gentle¬ 
man of high literary reputation, being associated with him as the 
literary editor. The Journal of Commerce (as the newspaper was 
called) was then about the size of the New York Tribune , or one 
half its own present dimensions; and its daily circulation was 
only a few hundred copies—in fact much of its circulation the first 
year was gratuitous. Its editorials were generally upon literary 
subjects; but its columns were principally devoted to business 
and news, the latter being diversified every few weeks by the ar¬ 
rival of a vessel from Liverpool, Havre, or New Orleans. 

“Such was the expensiveness, that towards the close of the 
first year, Mr. Arthur Tappan, who had already advanced upon 
the Journal thirty thousand dollars, determined to abandon it; and 
to rid himself of further responsibility he presented the entire 
establishment to his brother, Mr. Lewis Tappan, whom he had 
just associated with himself in business. Several changes follow¬ 
ed this arrangement. Mr. Maxwell retired from the editorship, 
and Mr. Horace Bushnell (now Rev. Dr. Bushnell, of Hartford)— 


416 


APPENDIX. 


wlio already evinced nmch of his peculiar spirit and power as a 
writer, and who had been an assistant of Mr. Maxwell—was em¬ 
ployed some months as editor, while Mr. Hale, in whose name 
the Journal was published, continued to manage the business de¬ 
partment. The paper was under the general direction of Mr. Lewis 
Tappan, who thus announced the principles on which it should be 
conducted: 

It will be a primary object to render the Journal a first rate commer¬ 
cial paper, worthy of this city. To this end an extensive correspond¬ 
ence will be maintained, the most ably conducted periodicals will be 
taken, and no pains nor expense will be spared to procure authentic 
reviews of the markets, prices current, etc. It will be necessary also to 
maintain a boat establishment for the collection of marine news; and 
this must be done at our individual cost, as the public and our establish¬ 
ment will be benefited by a competition, and as it will be contrary to 
the principles of this paper, to be associated with similar establishments 
which devote Sundays to the collecting of neAvs. By a vigorous compe¬ 
tition we expect to prevent any deficiency arising from an observance of 
the Sabbath, by which we mean the hours consecrated as holy time by 
the general usage of Christians in this city, namely: from twelve 
o’clock on Saturday night to twelve o’clock the night succeed¬ 
ing. 

We shall avoid all participation in the gain of those fashionable vices 
which sap the foundations of morality and religion, on which the best 
Interests of the nation depend. We profess to be friends of Christianity; 
not enthusiasts nor sectarians—and by a liberal and firm support of the 
moral and religious institutions of the country, we shall hope to merit 
the patronage of all good citizens. Nor shall we fear, for the Journal, 
the sneering imputation of its being a religious newspaper, because it 
will refuse to derive emolument from advertisements that are at Avar 
with the innocence, integrity, and moral weal of the community; nor 
because it will seek to promote the purity and elevation of public sen¬ 
timent. 

In short, it will be our endeavor to pursue an independent, courteous, 
and honorable competition; to come out plainly against moral delin¬ 
quencies ; while we hope to furnish a paper, Avhich will instruct and 
gratify the merchant, the politician, the literary reader, and the moral 
and patriotic of all callings and professions. On the cooperation of such 
we confidently rely. Let the experiment be fairly made, and avIio can 
doubt that, in the metropolis of this great nation, a daily paper, striving 
to excel its contemporaries by a dignified discussion of all the leading 
topics of public interest, excluding Afice in all its forms, will be extensive¬ 
ly patronized.* 

“Such,” says Mr. Thompson, “was the original plan of the 
Journal of Commerce, as devised by Mr. Tappan. . . . The attempt 

* Journal of Commerce, September 1, 1828. 


APPENDIX. 


417 


to establish a paper on such a basis excited the opposition and 
contempt of mere men of the world. ... As it was not the wish of 
Mr. Lewis Tappan to retain the control of the paper, he endeavor¬ 
ed to procure an editor to be permanently associated with Mr. 
Hale. In a few months an arrangement was made by which Mr. 
Hale and Gerard Hallock, Esq., then editor of the New York Ob¬ 
server, became joint proprietors and editors of the Journal of Com¬ 
merce. A guarantee fund of twenty thousand dollars was sub¬ 
scribed by several gentlemen for the support of the paper, and the 
editors were allowed two years to determine upon purchasing the 
property by returning principal and interest. This they subse¬ 
quently did, and thus the Journal was established on a safe and 
independent basis. ” 


NOTE. 

The “expensiveness” was not the only reason my brother had 
for desiring to be rid of the concern. He was disappointed in re¬ 
gard to the expectations he had formed of the usefulness of the 
paper. It was more literary than commercial, and the moral 
effect had not been so great as had been anticipated. Besides, a 
large part of the editorial labor had been performed by two or 
three assistant editors, the office of chief editor being almost a 
sinecure—and that a very expensive one. At the same time the 
subscription list and advertising receipts were not increasing. 

My brother felt that he had advanced as much money as it was 
convenient and proper for him to do, and he determined in the 
month of August to free himself from the necessity of sustaining 
the paper any longer than the expiration of the first year. Accord¬ 
ingly he informed me that he should not make any more advances 
after 1st September, and that the publication must then stop. I 
urged him not to sacrifice the property, and he replied, “I will 
then give it to you, on condition that you will examine into the 
concern, and put it on a right footing. ” I accepted the proposi¬ 
tion, took leave of my mercantile business for a time, dispensed 
with the services of the chief editor, and, with the able assistance 
of Mr. Bushnell, assumed the editorship of the paper. 

After several attempts, by correspondence and journeys, to pro¬ 
cure a suitable person to succeed Mr. Maxwell, several gentlemen, 
at my invitation, supposed to be friendly to the enterprise, met at 
the Tract House to consult on the affairs of the Journal. Several 
of them attended. Messrs. Gerard Hallock and David Hale, to 
whom a proposition had been made, were also invited to the con- 

18 * 


418 


APPENDIX. 


ference. I made a verbal statement of the concern—its situation 
on the 1st September; the efforts since made to sustain it; the 
present income and disbursements ; and stated that if the sub¬ 
scription and advertising patronage continued as they had done 
for the past six weeks the income would at least equal the ex¬ 
penses. The proposition to Hale and Hallock and their willing¬ 
ness to accept it were laid before the meeting. Included in the 
proposition was a condition that a stated sum should be pledged 
to carry on the business for two years, and to allow Hale and 
Hallock to elect to purchase at the termination of that period or 
sooner. The gentlemen present spoke favorably of the paper, said 
it ought not to be discontinued, and that means for its support 
must be furnished. A subscription was opened, a considerable 
sum was subscribed, and after much painstaking the full amount 
was eventually obtained. At the end of two years Hale and 
Hallock decided to consummate the purchase ; the advances of the 
friends were repaid; and six thousand dollars, the estimated value 
of the fixtures, type, presses, etc., on the 1st September, paid to 
Arthur Tappan. Although my brother acknowledged the ability 
. and industry of the new proprietors, he did not approve the man¬ 
ner in which they conducted the paper, as it respected its 
political influence, and the stand it took on the anti-slavery 
question. Its pecuniary success has been very great. 

It was demonstrated by the proprietors of the Journal of Com¬ 
merce that a daily paper could be sustained in the city of New 
York without any desecration of the Lord’s day. If successful 
then, it could be so now; and therefore there is no valid excuse 
for infringing on sacred time. There are multitudes of readers of 
such papers, many of them moral and religious men, who have it 
in their power to restrain such violation of the Sabbath. If they 
would refrain from purchasing a Monday’s paper that is printed 
on the Lord’s day, as many of them are, a check would be held 
over such issues, and the result would be that proprietors would 
find it for their interest to abstain from desecrating holy time. 
Editors, and all the employes, would doubtless be grateful for 
such acts of self-denial on the part of readers. Is not a patron of a 
Monday's paper, on which work is done on the Sabbath, as culpable as 
the editor or proprietor ? 


APPENDIX. 


419 


4 . 


COLONIZATION SOCIETY—RUM TRADE IN LIBERIA. 

What the cargoes of vessels trading to Liberia were made up 
of may be seen by the following advertisements, from the Liberia 
Herald: 


No. 1. March 22,1832. 

C. M. Waring and F. Taylor 
offer for sale the cargo of the 
schooner Olive from Liverpool: 
500 kegs of powder, 

500 muskets, 

150 cutlasses, 

10 bags shot, 

10 puncheons rum, 

2 do. brandy, 

20 casks ale, 

10 do. brown stout, 
etc., etc. 


No. 2. September 7,1832. 

C. M. Waring offers for sale the 
cargo of the schdoner Olive of 
Liverpool: 

60 doz. blk. handled spear-pointed 
knives, 

10.000 best musket flints, 

354 bunches dark straw beads, 

223 pounds black pound do. 

245 do. white do. 

1,197 gallons of rum, 

350 kegs of powder, 

140 muskets. 


BUYING THE GOOD WILIi OF THE NATIVES. 

The terms of one of the contracts may be seen in the society’s 
eleventh report: 

4th. The American Colonization Society shall have the right, in con¬ 
sideration of five hundred bars of tobacco, three barrels of rum, five casks 
of powder, five pieces of long baft, five boxes of pipes, ten guns, five 
umbrellas, ten iron pots and ten pairs of shoes, immediately to enter into 
possession of the tract of unoccupied land, bounded toward the West by 
Stockton creek, and on the North by St. Paul’s river, etc. 

The Sesters territory was perpetually leased to the Colonization 
Society on the 27th October, 1825, by King Freeman, “in con¬ 
sideration of one hogshead of tobacco , one puncheon of rum , six 
boxes of pipes, to be paid and delivered to [him] yearly, every 
year, the first to commence from the date of these presents-,” etc. 


5 . 

JOSEPH STURGE’S STATEMENT. 

When Mr. Sturge visited New York, in 1841, on his return 
to England from his second visit to the West Indies, he made the 
following statement: 

“In Jamaica a proprietor told him that it was considered a 
good day’s work for a slave to clear seventy to eighty coffee trees 
of weeds, with a hoe, but by paying task work under the appren- 


420 


APPENDIX. 


ticeship system, a man and woman cleared five hundred trees in a 
day, and a boy two hundred and fifty trees in one instance! So 
much for the free over slave labor. 

“Mr. Sturge said that during his stay in the West Indies, he 
did not see a single negro intoxicated, and a practitioner of medi¬ 
cine told him that during all his practice he had never seen a negro 
woman drunk. 

“ In Jamaica the negroes contributed £2,000 currency, towards 
building a meetinghouse. On one occasion, the preacher told 
his congregation that if any of them were inclined to contribute 
towards repairing the chapel, they might leave their contributions 
in the vestry, and as he supposed that they had not come prepar¬ 
ed, he would not send around the collection-boxes. A sum equal 
to £50 sterling was immediately left in the vestry.” 


6 . 


VICE-PRESIDENT COLFAX’S LETTER. 

Washington, Feb. 25,1870. 

My Dear Sir : I remember very well going in 1835, when I 
was twelve years of age, to see the results of a mob attack on your 
property in Rose-street, caused by your anti-slavery principles; 
and I remember also that it made me prejudiced, even then, 
against the “institution of slavery,” whose supposed interests 
caused that attack. I have no doubt that that early adverse 
impression caused me afterwards to range myself with the anti¬ 
slavery wing of the Whig party, though I remained connected with 
that party while it existed. 

Yours very truly, 

SCHUYLER COLFAX. 

Lewis Tapp an, Esq. 


7 . 


OBERLIN COLLEGE. 

The following resolution was unanimously adopted by the 
board of trustees of Oberlin College at its regular annual meeting 
in August, 1865, and ordered to be entered upon its records. 

Arthur Tappan one of the oldest and munificent patrons of Oberlin 
College having departed this life, therefore, resolved, that in his death 
the college has reason to deplore the loss of one of its truest and noblest, 
and most valued friends. Yet, on the other hand, to rejoice that his great 


APPENDIX. 


421 


life was well done, and that so ripe in years and rich in munificence and 
toil, he has at length entered upon his glorious rest. Under the blessed 
influence of such a life, and such a death, we are quickened to fresh en¬ 
deavor to follow him in the simplicity of his consecration to God and 
humanity, and in his steadfast devotion to the great principles of Christian 
benevolence. 

The foregoing is a true copy of the records. 

GEORGE KINNEY, Sec. 


8 . 

LETTER FROM REV. C. G. FINNEY. 

In a letter to the compiler from Mr. Finney, of a recent date, 
he says : “I regard Arthur Tappan as one of the best men I ever 
knew. He was as modest as he was good. I am happy to hear 
that you are preparing a sketch of his life. Will you lay aside all 
fear of being accused of too highly appreciating a brother, and let 
the church have the whole portrait ? Tell us all about his appropria¬ 
tions for Christ and humanity, and the opposition he met with on 
that account. Do you know that he paid the expense of getting 
up and running Sabbath-schools, by the students that left Lane 
Seminary ? Mr. Streeter, one of them, mentioned the fact here at 
a public meeting two years ago, and said that until Mr. Tappan’s 
death, the matter was, by his request, kept secret. Mr. Streeter 
spoke of the amount given as considerable. You are aware that 
just before I was invited to Oberlin, he was urging me to come 
West long enough to take that class through a course of theology. 
To furnish rooms and whatever was requisite, and he would defray 
the expense. . . . Many have since ‘given much of their abun¬ 
dance,’ but who among them as privately and of course as unosten¬ 
tatiously pledged his whole income for church and humanity.** 
The magnificent donations of Peabody and others do not compare 
relatively with Arthur Tappan’s. I see that Joshua Leavitt is re¬ 
quested to write a history of the anti-slavery movement. He will 
do as well as any man unacquainted with the influence of Oberlin 
on the whole Northwest. The fact is that Oberlin turned the scale 
in all of the Northwest. No man can tell the story right unless he 
knows this. Although Arthur Tappan failed to do for Oberlin all 
that he intended, yet his promise was the condition of the existence 
of Oberlin as it has been. God bless you. 


“C. G. FINNEY.” 


422 


APPENDIX. 


9 . 


AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. 

The following record of the executive committee was trans¬ 
mitted to the daughters of Mr. Arthur Tappan, after his decease. 

New York, Aug. 12,1865. 

My Dear Friends : By order of the executive committee of the 
American Missionary Association, I send you the following extract 
from the minutes of the last session: 

The executive committee of the American Missionary Association, 
having learned of the decease of our esteemed Christian brother Arthur 
Tappan, the early tried and faithful advocate of the freedom of the slave, 
and the friend of the poor, for many years a member of our executive 
committee, and, since his removal from New York, a vice-president of 
the association, desire to place on record, and to express to his bereaved 
family and relatives, our high appreciation of his consistent Christian 
character, his distinguished liberality, and his earnest labors, and sacri¬ 
fices, for the freedom of the slave, and the welfare of the oppressed. His 
benevolence, Christ-like, knew no distinction of race, clime, condition, or 
color, but was freely, joyfully, extended, wherever the Redeemer’s king¬ 
dom or individual want indicated. 

In his departure this association, the churchmf Christ, and the poor 
among men, as well as his bereaved family, have lost an earnest friend 
and faithful counsellor. 

But while we record our sense of this great loss, we would humbly 
and gratefully express our thanks to Almighty God, that he was so long 
spared to his friends and the world, and permitted, before entering the 
heavenly rest, to witness with exultation and praise to God, the down¬ 
fall of the accursed system, against which he had so long striven. And 
we would unite our prayers with those of his family, that even this so 
great affliction may be sanctified to their and our good, and that of the 
cause he so much loved. 

A true copy from the minutes of the executive committee. 

GEORGE WHIPPLE, Clerk. 


10 . 

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE TRUSTEES OF THE 
AUBURN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 

Whereas, It has pleased divine Providence, since the last reg¬ 
ular meeting of this board, to remove by death Arthur Tappan, 
Esq., formerly of the city of New York, one of the earliest and 
most liberal benefactors of this institution: therefore, 


APPENDIX. 


423 


Resolved, That the trustees feel called upon to place on record 
their grateful sense of the wise Christian beneficence of Mr. Tap- 
pan, and especially to praise God that he was led in the time of 
his worldly prosperity to endow by a donation of fifteen thousand 
dollars, the professorship of Christian theology, by this act giving 
life to the institution in its feeble infancy, encouraging other en¬ 
dowments, and securing for its first theological teacher, that wise, 
devout and faithful man of God, Rev. James Richards, D. D. 

Resolved, That this act of Mr. Tappan furnishes a most instruc¬ 
tive example of the wisdom of seasonable beneficence by Christian 
men, instead of postponing their charities till the time of their 
death, when the fluctuations of business may have stripped them 
of their means of doing good. 

Resolved, That we record with devout gratitude the fact that 
Mr. Tappan was permitted, during the long period of more than 
forty years, to witness the fruits of his judicious charity in a suc¬ 
cession of able and faithful teachers in the chair of Christian the¬ 
ology in this seminary, and in the education of so many hundreds 
of ministers of the gospel who have gone to all parts of our own 
and to heathen lands. 


11 . 

BRITISH AND FOREIGN ANTI-SLAYERY SOCIETY. 

We extract the following from the London Anti-Slavery Reporter 
of September, 1865: 

The American papers announce the death in his eightieth year of Mr. 
Arthur Tappan (brother of Lewis Tappan) widely known for his benevo¬ 
lence and for the generous zeal with which he always advocated and 
supported any measures for the benefit of his fellow-men. 

He was one of the early abolitionists, and cheerfully took a large 
share of the obloquy and persecution which were visited upon that de¬ 
spised class in its darkest days. When Garrison was imprisoned in Bal¬ 
timore for an article in his paper upon the domestic slave trade, Mr. 
Tappan paid the fine and redeemed him from jail, and his name from that 
time forward was as notorious and almost as much hated at the South as 
Garrison’s own. 

Like most of the class to which he was known to belong, his whole 
life gave the lie to the assertion that the abolitionists were “ men of one 
idea,” for there was no charitable work or pious purpose to which he did 
not give the benefit of his great executive ability, and the support of his 
hearty and untiring devotion. Nor did old age cool his ardor, to the end 
of his days, his interest in good works never flagged, and for him cer¬ 
tainly awaits the award, “ Well done, good and faithful servant.” 


424 


APPENDIX. 


12 . 

LETTER FROM WM. LLOYD GARRISON. 

Boston, March 8,1870. 

Dear Sir : I am more than gratified to learn that you have 
prepared a sketch of the life of your lamented brother Arthur, for 
publication in a volume. He well deserves all that you or any 
others may say in his praise. With a sound understanding, a 
great conscience to the dictates of which he was inflexibly true, a 
genuine humility that did not wish the left hand to know what the 
right hand performed, a moral courage that could look any re¬ 
proach or peril serenely in the face in the discharge of what seem¬ 
ed to be an imperative duty, a sense of rectitude commensurate 
with the golden rule, a spirit of philanthropy as comprehensive 
and universal as the “one blood” of all nations of men, a liberal¬ 
ity rarely paralleled in the consecration of his means to deliver the 
oppressed and to relieve suffering humanity in all its multifarious 
aspects, and a piety that proved its depth and genuineness by the 
fruits it bore, his example is to me to be held up for imitation to 
the latest posterity. 

The applications for his charitable assistance were legion ; but, 
notwithstanding his immense business, he gave no scope to an 
impulsive benevolence, but endeavored to examine each case upon 
its merits, and dispose of it upon principle. While always cour¬ 
teous, was there ever one who was less “a respecter of persons” 
than himself? No rabbi could command his attention more than 
the beggar in rags. But it is not for me to recite to you either his 
excellent traits or noble deeds. These you will record without 
flattery or ostentation, but solely in justice to his memory, and as 
incentives to well-doing on the part of such as may thus be made 
acquainted with his remarkable career. . . . The biography of your 
brother will be very timely. 

Yours, to sing the song of jubilee, 

WM. LLOYD GARRISON. 

Lewis Tapp an. 


13 . 

DEATH OF ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

The following tribute, by Rev. Joshua Leavitt, D. D., was pub¬ 
lished in the New York Independent: 

The venerable Christian philanthropist, whose name has 


APPENDIX. 


425 


been, at one time, a word of power to all who love Christ’s cause, 
and, at another, the song of the negro-haters throughout the coun¬ 
try, as the representative of justice and mercy to the oppressed, 
has been gathered to his fathers in peace and honor at the ripe 
age of fourscore. Mr. Tappan died at New Haven, on Sunday, 
July 23, and was buried on Tuesday, in the cemetery of that place. 
Reserving for another occasion the fuller account which we hope 
to give of his life, and the services he rendered to his generation 
and to the cause of Christ in the world, we now only express the 
first emotions that arise at the event when we say that this world 
has parted with one of the truest Christians it ever knew. Sin¬ 
cerity as pure as crystal, and integrity as true as the beams of the 
morning, were the leading traits of his character. What he said, 
he believed; and what he saw to be right, he did. Those who 
differed from him most widely, and those who were most displeas¬ 
ed by his action, felt and confessed that he was conscientious in 
his opinions, and honest in his conduct, to a degree never sur¬ 
passed. He had no classification of principles or duties, by their 
times or relations. His piety was for every day, and his religion 
controlled his bargains as it did his devotions. A Christian in¬ 
deed, he was a Christian everywhere, and in all his relations. He 
would no more wrong his closet in devotion than he would cheat 
a customer in trade. He believed the evangelical system of doc¬ 
trine as honestly as the decalogue, and practised the duties of the 
second table as diligently as the first. He was a good man in 
whatever circumstances you tried him, and from whatever point 
of view you- observed him. His character honored alike his pro¬ 
fession as a Christian, his calling as a merchant, his position as a 
member of society. He was thought to be severe in judgment, but 
it was only because he judged others as he did himself, and he 
could not modify the decision, because he knew the law could not 
bend. He could not compromise in duty, because he could not 
alter the truth, which he believed because it was true. His whole 
life was eminently uniform and consistent, because it was wholly 
and always governed by one principle—the law of God. The life 
of such a man is a profitable study for all survivors, and its his¬ 
tory needs to be written by one who is in full sympathy with the 
principles which governed him, and the objects for which he lived. 
His life consisted in what he believed and what he did—not in loud 
sentiments or florid imaginations. It had no lack of the essentials 
of faith and action, and he never sought for it the adornments of 
fancy or the excitements of overwrought emotion. Undoubting 


426 


APPENDIX. 


belief, unhesitating submission, unremitting obedience, made up 
a religion which he was resolved to live by, and which he was not 
afraid to die by. The life of which it could be said in youth that 
he never told a lie is completed and rounded out with a consist¬ 
ency as perfect as the circle of the sky. 

“There is, probably, no man living whose influence upon the 
destinies of the country is equal to his. Our great system of be¬ 
nevolent institutions owes its expansion and power, in a great 
degree, to his influence. His example inspired the merchants of 
New York with the principle of enlarged benevolence, leading 
them to give their hundreds, and thousands, and tens of thousands 
where before they were accustomed to think it a great matter if 
they gave their tens or fifties. His wise counsels and energetic 
determination, and munificent donation of five or six thousand 
dollars in 1825, decided the formation and destiny of the American 
Tract Society, and gave it the strong and steady career on which 
it has advanced for so many years. His thoughtful mind planned 
the great enterprise of the American Bible Society, of giving a 
Bible to every family in the United States, and his pledge of ten 
thousand dollars rendered it impossible but that the work should 
be undertaken—and done. Many others might be named of the 
great social movements of the last forty years, which owed their 
being or their power to his comprehensiveness of vision, sagacity 
of forethought, or largeness of liberality. Hardly any one can be 
named which did not become what it was through his agency and 
influence. It was a large heart, gifted with most extensive fore¬ 
sight, guiding a singularly effective will. 

“In the slavery agitation, its beginning, its extent, its power, 
its results, it may be said, without a question, that Arthur Tappan 
was the pivotal centre of the whole movement. He supported the 
Colonization Society for some years, because he believed it would 
aid in the overthrow of slavery, and only abandoned it when he 
became fully convinced that it was formed and was managed main¬ 
ly in the interest of slavery, and for the purpose of strengthening 
the system by removing its chief dangers. His decision and gene¬ 
rosity released Mr. Garrison from his imprisonment at Baltimore, 
and placed him in a position to commence the publication of the 
Liberator. The formation of the Anti-Slavery Society in New 
York, to be guided by those principles of religion and patriotism 
to which his own soul held glad allegiance, hinged upon him, both 
for its conception and execution. For years his contributions to its 
treasury were its main reliance, amounting for successive years to 


APPENDIX. 


427 


at least one-fourth of its yearly income. His generous response at 
that very juncture saved the Liberator from pending and instant 
suppression. And, in addition, he gave money and stirred up 
men to effort, right and left, to an extent which no earthly regis¬ 
try has recorded. In the darkest hours of mobs, and obloquy, 
and threatened assassination, he never quailed nor changed his 
course, nor doubted as to duties or results, but pressed right on, 
with steady step, toward the end which he was sure must come. 
For seven years he was the hinge on which a great nation turned 
to its new destiny. And he never let go, nor relaxed his energy, 
until he had seen the country so thoroughly aroused and so far 
permeated in all its ranks with the anti-slavery spirit as to make 
the final issue no longer doubtful, except as a question of time. 
He has been graciously permitted to remain among us until the 
great abomination has received its death-blow, and then departed 
in peace, to enter into the joy of his Lord. Well done, good and 
faithful servant! Thou hast been faithful above many, be thou 
ruler over higher interests in a world yet more exalted! 


14 . 

EXTRACTS FROM A SERMON PREACHED IN THE FIRST 
CHURCH IN NEW HAVEN, JULY 30, 1865. BY REV. 
LEONARD BACON, D. D. 

“ With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation,”— 
Psalm 91:16. 

A week ago this morning, a venerable member of this church, 
who had seen almost fourscore years, closed his eyes in death. 
He was one to whom the promise, “With long life will I satisfy 
him, and show him my salvation,” had been literally fulfilled. 
There was much in his character and history which it may be 
profitable for us to remember. 

Arthur Tappan was bom at Northampton, Mass., in 1786. . . . 
When he was fourteen years old he was sent from home to leam 

that which was to be his business for life.At twenty-one 

years of age, he commenced business on his own account, with a 
partner, at Portland, Maine ; but, not long afterward, they remov¬ 
ed to Montreal.The commencement of the war between 

Great Britain and the United States, in 1812, made it necessary 
for them either to become British subjects or to close their busi¬ 
ness at a sacrifice, and return to their own country. His partner 
being like-minded with himself on that question, they did not 




428 


APPENDIX. 


hesitate. Though his judgment and sympathies as a citizen, and 
his personal interests, were adverse to the war, he loved his 
country, and would not be separated from it. 

At the end of the war, in 1815, he removed to the city of New 
York, and commenced business there, as an importing merchant. 
The gains of the first year were more than balanced by the losses 
of the second and third, and a change in his arrangements became 
necessary. With a reduced capital, but with an unimpaired com¬ 
mercial character, he commenced, in the year 1817, the business 
in which he was, for about twenty years, eminently successful. 
Traders from all parts of the Union became his customers ; his 
gains were steady and sure ; he was rapidly accumulating a great 
fortune, and at the same time dispensing with exemplary liber¬ 
ality, when the commercial revulsion of 1837 produced, suddenly, 
an almost universal suspension of payments, and spread bank¬ 
ruptcy through all parts of the country. . . . Unable to obtain what 
was due to him from his customers, he was compelled to throw him¬ 
self on the forbearance of his creditors ; and, though the debts 
of the house were more than $1,100,000, he succeeded in making 

full payment within the time conceded to him.At the age 

of fifty-six, with nothing but his experience in business and his 
integrity, he began anew to earn a support for himself and his 
family. A few years of diligence and carefulness were sufficient 
to obtain by the favor of God’s providence, a limited yet comfort¬ 
able provision for his old age. Having lived here and worshipped 
in this congregation in his most prosperous days, from 1828 to 
1835, he returned to this city about eight years ago, and became 
a member of this church. 

Such is the outline of his life, with its leading dates, its labors 
and vicissitudes, its successes and disappointments, its domestic 
joys and sorrows. In all this there is little that is extraordinary; 
and if this were all that ought to be said about what Arthur Tap- 
pan has been and what he has done, and what he has seen and 
experienced, I might not have felt myself called to speak of him 
by name, or to describe his character. But, enclosed within this 
outline of his life, there is a story of self-consecration to the ser¬ 
vice of God, of earnest endeavor in the cause of truth and justice, 
of pertinacious sympathy with the poor and the wronged, of mu¬ 
nificence, of conflict, of martyrdom, and of victory, which ought 
to be distinctly told, not for his sake but for ours. 

. . . When he began to be prosperous in business, he began to 
show a liberality in giving, which was singular at that time, and 




APPENDIX. 


429 


therefore memorable, and which is rarely equalled among Chris¬ 
tian merchants even now.In the year 1825, he was foremost 

among the founders of the American Tract Society, at New York. 
.... In 1827, a series of articles from the pen of Professor Morse 
directed public attention to the need of a daily commercial news¬ 
paper in New York, which should not be defiled with theatrical 
advertisements, and laudatory dissertations upon half-naked 
actresses ; and such a newspaper was established at his expense. 
A year or two later, he gave a new impulse to the work of the Amer¬ 
ican Bible Society, by proposing in its board of managers that it 
should undertake to supply every family in the United States, 
within a limited time, with a copy of the Scriptures, and offering 
$10,000 as his contribution to the enterprise. lie was, all this 
while, a free and constant giver to foreign and home missions, and 
to the American Education Society, then in the full tide of its 
greatest usefulness. And when it appeared that the young men, 
aided by that Society, were hindered from coming to Yale College, 
because there was at that time no fund, as at other colleges, for 
the payment of their tuition-bills, he assumed in 1828, the respon¬ 
sibility of paying for the tuition of all beneficiaries here till the 
number should be more than a hundred. Who can tell how much 
has been done for Christ by those whom he thus encouraged and 
helped on their way to the ministry of the gospel? 

His New England principles and traditions ; the nurture of his 
childhood when the revolutionary enthusiasm for liberty had not 
yet subsided ; the keen sense of justice which predominated in 
his moral nature ; his ready sympathy with the wronged and suf¬ 
fering ; his religious belief that God hath made of one blood all 
nations of men, and the lesson which Christ had taught him in 
the story of the good Samaritan, caused him, from the beginning 
of his Christian course, to take a lively interest in efforts for the 
relief and emancipation of the African race, and especially for 
removing from our country the curse and shame of slavery. 
In common with other Christian and philanthropic men, he 
had favored the enterprise of the American Colonization Society. 
.... But in 1830, a young man who has since become famous, 
and who was then connected with a most uncompromising anti¬ 
slavery journal that had long been published without interference, 
in the mob-governed city of Baltimore, was thrown into prison 
there, by the sentence of a court, in default of the payment of a 
fine imposed upon him for an alleged libel on the good name of a 
slave-trader. Mr. Tappan . . . promptly paid the fine, and set 



430 


APPENDIX. 


him at liberty, getting the start of Henry Clay, who was taking 

measures to do the same thing.Then began the rage of the 

Southern people against Northern freedom of opinion, and of utter¬ 
ance, concerning slavery ; and many a dastardly attempt was made 
by Northern men to propitiate Southern fury by the sacrifice of 
sacred rights. 

A meeting was called in the city of New York, in the autumn 
of 1833, to form a city anti-slavery society, which should act cn 
public opinion for the abolition of slavery—a society to exist and 
operate by the same right by which similar societies had operated 
under the guidance of patriots like Jay and Franklin, in the days 
of Washington and Jefferson. At the demand and instigation of 
Southern men then present in the city, a mob was raised to defeat 
the purpose of the meeting. A few persons, however, assemble 
at a different place, and the proposed organization was effecte 
Thus was inaugurated the era of shameless servility to the arr 
gance of the slaveholding and slavetrading interest—the era 
mobs for the suppression of all printing or speech against slavery. 
Before the close of that year, an American anti-slavery society had 
come into being and begun its work, defying the violence of mobs, 
trampling on every popular prejudice that was supposed to favor 
slavery, thriving on persecution. 

From that time onward, Arthur Tappan was identified with 

the agitation against slavery.Of course his name in every 

part of the country, was associated with all terms of opprobrium 
. . . .Yet nothing could move him from his course, for he was 
sustained by his own conscience, stimulated by his hatred of injus¬ 
tice and his pity for the weak and wronged, and strengthened by 
his confidence in God. The memorable anti-abolition riots in th' 
city of New York, more than thirty years ago, raged with speci 
fury against him, but no violence could move him from the com 
which he had deliberately taken in the fear of God. One nig 
the mob was in great force before his warehouse in Pearl-stre 

threatening to plunder and destroy it.A gentleman, who v as 

at that time a clerk in the establishment, and who was one of t lie 
few who stood within the door with loaded muskets in their han Is, 
waiting for it to be forced open, while the mob was thunde 
without—described to me, many years afterward, Mr. Ta* 
characteristic quietness and firmness in that terrible excif 
and how calmly and thoughtfully he directed the defend? 
to fire at the right moment, so as to repel the assailarf 
effectually, and yet to spare their lives. Fortunately a 





APPENDIX. 


431 


w ent through the crowd, that a box or two of muskets had been 
c, arried into the building that day. One by one the rioters began 
t< -> care for their safety in what might be a dangerous undertaking ; 
a nd the mob was gradually dispersed. 

In all the intensity of his zeal against slavery, he never lost his 
C "hristian sympathies. Though brought into cooperation with 
n len whose views of Christ, of the church, and of the Bible, were 
w- idely different from his own, he was never carried into the dan- 

gt srous current of their thinking. 

Year by year it became more manifest that the churches of the 
Is, orth, and their ministry, whether right or wrong in their judg- 
ent concerning particular measures and expedients, were not 
a\ oostate from Christ; and that the people of the North, however 
> ey might have been misled, and whatever sacrifices they had 
en willing to make for the Union, were not false to liberty. All 
-is our venerable friend observed with growing thankfulness, till 
last, when the slaveholding power in its madness had made war 
oi i the Union, he saw * ‘ the uprising of a great people ” for union 
ai id liberty thenceforth inseparable. 

I need not say in what steadfastness of love to his country, of 
>nfidence in God, and in the ultimate victory of righteousness, 
h| i has waited through these years of bloody conflict. Keenly 
se; nsitive to the sorrow's and the horrors of the war, he has never- 
eless seen the presence of God in it, and his faith has constantly 
fo.. -eseen the end, and the consequent openings for the progress of 
Cl irist’s peaceful and spiritual kingdom. It was a joy to him that 
he saw in this house, last autumn, the annual assembly of the 
Ai uerican Missionary Association, which had been instituted al- 
*ryj )st twenty years ago to receive the contributions of those who 
Dught that older missionary societies were deficient in zeal 
, ainst slavery, and which had found at last its predestined work 
the millions of freedmen, and had been commended to that 
k by the common consent of the churches. And when the 
vu r was ended in the restoration of the national government to its 
suf .remacy, in the vindication of constitutional liberty, and in the 
■ 3 and complete extinction of slavery, his joy was full. God 

uven him that for which he had prayed and longed, for which 
I labored, for which he had endured so much of obloquy 
~ed, and encountered so much of personal danger. Well 
3 say, “Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for 
s have seen thy salvation.” 

last time that he was present here was at our Tuesday 



432 


APPENDIX. 


evening meeting, nearly three weeks ago. Our theme that eve n- 
ing was, “Here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to 
come.” He loved such themes of meditation, and he told liis 
daughters how much he had enjoyed that opportunity. Three 
days afterward, (Friday evening,) he lay down with his last ill¬ 
ness upon him. In the intervals of consciousness or of partial 
consciousness which came to him he was heard faintly repeating 
some stanzas of a favorite hymn which was the dearer to him be¬ 
cause he learned it in his childhood from his mother’s lips: 

“ When all thy mercies, 0 my God, 

My rising soul surveys, 

Transported with the view, I’m lost 
In wonder, love, and praise. 

“ When in the slippery paths of youth 

With heedless steps I ran, t 

Thine arm, unseen, conveyed me safe, 

And led me up to man. 

“ Through every period of my life 
Thy goodness I ’ll pursue, 

And after death, in distant worlds, , 

The glorious theme renew. 

“ Through all eternity to thee 
A joyful song I ’ll raise; 

For oh, eternity’s too short 
To utter all thy praise! ” 

With such thoughts, peaceful and thankful he passed aw ; 
God had satisfied him, and shown him his salvation. 

























































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